SELECTED

CHESS GAMES
OF

MIKHAIL TAL
 SELECTED
CHESS GAMES
OF

MIKHAIL TAL

by
J. HAJTUN
Translated by Robert E juri

DOVER PUBLICATIONS, INC.

NEW YORK

Mikhail Tal

Copyright © 1961 by Sir Isaac Pitman and Sons,
Ltd.
All rights reserved under Pan American and
International Copyright Conventions.
Published in Canada by General Publishing Com-
pany, Ltd., 30 Lesmill Road, Don Mills, Toronto,
Ontario.
Published in the United Kingdom by Constable
and Company, Ltd., 10 Orange Street, London WC 2.
This Dover edition, first published in 1975, is an
unabridged and unaltered republication of the work
originally published by Sir Isaac Pitman & Sons, Ltd.
in 1961 under the title Selected Games of Mikhail
Tal. It is reprinted by special arrangement with
the original publisher.
International Standard Book Number: 0-486-23112-7
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 74-83621
Manufactured in the United States of America
Dover Publications, Inc.
180 Varick Street
New York, N. Y. 10014
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE
Mikhail Tal was born in 1936 in Riga. He learnt chess at an early age, but
not too early. His childhood was disturbed by the Second World \Var, when
his parents moved out of German-occupied territory to Iurla, a small village in
the Urals. There his father continued in medical practice, leturning after
the war to Riga.
Little Misha joined the chess club of the Pioneer House of Ri~a in 1948.
He had already learnt the moves from a cousin, but he was twelve years
old before starting to learn any theory. His first tutor was the master Koblentz
and, as a diligent pupil, he quickly climbed their championship ladder and
soon became a first-class player.
The next few years were not particularly successful because he was always
meeting stronger and stronger opponents, but stern application helped him
through his difficulties. His talent, and particularly his attackin~ play, be~an
to attract attention, and Shakhmaty S. S. S. R. mentioned fourteen-year-
old Tal as an excellent player.
He now graduated to open tournaments. In the 1951 Riga Championship
he met masters and candidate masters. He had his defeats, but so far from
becoming dejected he merely applied himself still more to the study of the
~ame. His next tournament was the U. S. S. R. Junior Championship, ,1nd
he did not excel here either although he played several excellent games. it
was already clear that his talent needed little beyond more study.
Barely two years later he reacbed the /irst notable landmark in his rich
career by winning the 1953 Latvian Championship and so becominf!. a candi-
date master. In this tournament he met all the best players in the Latvian
Republic and came ahead even of his teacher, Koblentz, which was promising
indeed. Naturally the appearance of the Latvian team, which included Tal,
at the 1953 Team Championships of the U. S. S. R. was awaited with some in-
terest. The team t;ained fourth place and Tal, on second board, scored wins
a~ainst such masters as Panov and Ilivitsky. Entitled now to playa matcb for
the title of master, he was assigned to meet the master player Saigin. There
was a certain piquancy about this pairinf!: since Sai~in had beaten Tal in the
Team tournament.
Saif!:in, who was the champion of White Russia, played his match a/(ainst
Tal in Rit;a in 1954. Tal, who was then a student of Ri~a University, secured
the title of master by winning a fluctuating match 8-6. Hi~ outlook on the
game was broadenint; and he emerged as a many-sided player with a primary
interest in tactical attacks. But although his play was steadily becominf!. stronf!:er.
he had one marked failing While findin/( his way throut!,h the most
complicated situations, he was apt to make serious errors especially when CONTENTS
trying to realise an advantaf!,e. This led to severe defeats at the hands of
r;randmaster T aimanav and international masters Lisitzin and Aronin.
In 1955 he qualified for the find time for the final of the U. S. S. R. Cham-
pionship. In the semi-final at \lilna he came up against the best players of the
Baltic Ro:publics, White Russia and the Karelian Republic. He shared 3rd and 4th
places with Chukaev behind Kholmov and Nei. It was at this time that the
following criticism appeared in Shakhmaty S. S. S. R. : "Tal is a master of
combination and quick to find his way throu/!.h complications. At ttmes, how-
ever, he is too light-hearted and inaccurate in his jud/!.ement of position."
This 'was severe but true, and Tal was ready to learn. He had /!.one far towards
remedying the defect by the time of the final in 1956. In this, his most severe BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE
test to date, he distin!!,uished himself by sharing 5th to 7th places. Sima/!.in
declared afterwards that "Tal is a born chess-player. He almost inevitabl)' INTRODUCTION . . . 9
finds the stron/!.est line and in double-edged complications his splendid com-
binative powers assert themselves." It may also be mentioned that a natural Game Oppomnt Opening
optimism enabled him to overcome his defects very quickly.
His first tournament in the international field was at the Junior World THE XXIIIrd CHAMPIONSHIP OF THE U. S. S. R.
Team Championship in Sweden, where the Soviet team. with Talon fourth Lisitzin Sicilian Defence.
board, went steadily ahead into first place. Tal scored four out of five, and 2 Simagin Antal Defence
3 Khasin Sicilian Defence .
a Yugoslav paper prophetically said: "Tal! Remember this name." 4 Tolush Sicilian Defence.
By 1957 as a grandmaster, he won the final of the XXIVth U. S. S. R. Cham- 5 Ragosin Slav Defence . .
'pionship ahead of Bronstein and Keres. His play was now described as being 6 Bannik Ruy Lopez . . .
marked by powerful energy and a will to win. In fact, he now had chess in
his blood, though he ze.'as not without other interests since he ended his fiftb THE XXIVth CHAMPIONSHIP OF THE U. S. S. R. 27

year at the Faculty of Arts at Riga University with excellent results in history 7 Aronson Du tch Defence . . . 27
8 Taimanov Nimzo-Indian Defence . 29
and philology. 9 Bronstein Slav Defence . . . . .
In 1958 be won the U. S. S. R. Championship again, the first prize at Po/"- 31
10 Bannik King's Indian Defence. 33
toroz, and obtained the best individual score at the Munich chess Olympics. I I Klaman Sicilian Defence. . . . 35
In 1959 he won the Zurich tournament and the Candidates' tournament. among 12 Tolush King's Indian Defence. 37
which personal triumphs a second place in the U. S. S. R. Championship early 13 Gurgenidze Benoni Defence . . 39
in the year is rather moderate. 14 Keres Tarrasch Defence . . . 41
So he qualified to meet Botvinnik for the World Championship and the THE XXVth CHAMPIONSHIP OF THE U. S S. R. 44
early summer of 1960 saw the final seal set on a career of unparalleled success. 15 Tolush Nimzo-Indian Defence 44
But before his Worlel Championship match he took part in a small tour- 16 Averbach Benoni Defence . . . . 46
nament at Riga and had to be content with a very mediocre fourth place. He 17 Gurgenidze Sicilian Defence. . . . 48
may have been merely warming up for the main strugl',le, or possibly he was 18 Kotov King's Indian Defence. 50
in honeymoon mood. For just after the Candidates' tournament he had mar- 19 Taimanov Sicilian Defence. 52
ried Sally Landow, a hi~hlv talented actres.1 from the Ri/!.a Theatre, much 20 Geller Ruy Lopez. . . . . 55
to the delight of his mother-his father had died earlier-who regarded 2I Furman Ru y Lopez . . . . . 57
22 Gipslis Sicilian Defence. . . 59
the winning of so charminf!, a lad}! .I hand as worth more than the winninl!. 23 Spassky Nimzo-Indian Defence (,1
of a whole series of first pi izes.
Why worry now about the Riga result? Even CaPablanca overlooked the INTER-ZONAL TOURNAMENT FOR THE WORLD CHAMPIOl\:SHIP
Loss of a piece at Kissingen when hi; u'ife entered tbe tournament room. Tbe 24 Filip Ruy Lopez . . . . . .
important fact was tbat Tal settled down to tbe World Championship mateb 25 Szab6 Sicilian Defence. . . .
in splendid form. And at last came that unforf(ettable moment when Mikhail 26 Panno Rny Lopez. . . . . .
Tal, already the darling of millions and the toast of chess-players everywhere, 27 Rossetto King's Indian Defence.
28 Benko Sicilian Defence. . . .
Won the hif(hest prize of all, the \\7 orZd Championship.

(,
7
Game Opponent Opening Page INTRODUCTION
29 Fiister Caro-Kann Defence 76
3° Larsen Sicilian Defence . 79
31 De Grieff English Opening 80
GOLD MEDAL AT THE WORLD TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP AT MUNICH
F Darga Ruy Lopez . . .
33 Walther Sicilian Defence .
34 Lago English Opening
35 Beni Sicilian Defence .
36 Milev Tarrasch Defence
37 Russell Scotch Gambit • Mikhail Tal, as seen in these pages, is an artist of the chessboard, whose
38 Golombek Caro-Kann Defence productions are as likely to provoke a storm as win our admiration; but what-
39 Bertholdt King's Indian Defence. ever our opinion of him as an artist, we can all glimpse the man himself,
40 Lokvenc Sicilian Defence . driven by his restless inquiring nature into feats of creative activity.
41 Ficht! Sicilian Defence. Tal's games of chess, in this selection from his five years of maior chess
THE XXVIth CHAMPIONSHIP OF THE U. S. S. R. contests, are revealed as true masterpieces, each one bearing his own personal
42 Bronstein Ruy Lopez . . . signature. They reveal his imaginative fantasy at work even in the most com-
43 Polugaevsky Sicilian Defence . monplace of positions and we watch his opponents, however great, transported
44 Nikitin Sicilian Defence. into a sphere of doubt and uncertainty, as unpleasant to them as it is delightful
45 Geller Benoni Defence . to the onlooker.
ZURICH TOURNAMENT, 1959 . . . . . . . His style is such that opinions necessarily differ, but even the most diver-
10 7
46 Kupper Sicilian Defence. 10 7
gent of his critics agree that he plays "fighting" chess, in which every concep-
47 Larsen Sicilian Defence . 108 tion is permeated with white-hot tension. As Ragosin puts it, "Tal doesn't
48 Unzicker Sicilian Defence . 110 move the pieces by hand; he uses a magic wand." The various elements in
49 Nievergelt Sicilian Defence . 112 his chess make-up are blended into one happy unity; his gifts of imagination
50 Keller Slav Defence . . 113 and intuition, his speed of thought, his uncommonly retentive memory are all
5I Walther Sicilian Defence . II6 fused together with a quite exceptional daring. If a weak spot is to be found
52 Donner Benoni Defence . 117
in his play, it is that he is occasionally caught in the whirlpool of his own as-
THE CANDIDATES' TOURNAMENT, YUGOSLAVIA, 1959. 119 tonishing imagination; and even then one gets the impression that he still
53 Smyslov Caro-Kann Defence . . 119 enjoys such rare mischances.
54 Fischer Sicilian Defence. . . . 121 Before proceeding to the outline of his career and to the games themselves,
55 Gligoric Queen's Indian Defence 12 3 it is interesting to note how some features of this great new chess artist, now
56 Keres Sicilian Defence. . . . 12 5 World Champion, strike an echo from the historical past.
57 Olafsson Ruy Lopez . 12 7
58 Fischer King's Indian Defence. Fram the earliest times legends have been woven round the greatest players.
12 9
59 Fischer Sicilian Defence. . . . In Haroun-al-Rashid's court the ability of the Caliph's younger son to play
13 1
a game without sight of the board was ascribed to supernatural influences.
MIKHAIL TAL, THE NEW WORLD CHESS CHAMPION . . . . . . . . . . Even after the Middle Ages such prejudices survived; fantastic stories about
60 Botvinnik French Defence . . . . the early masters of the modern form of the game were eagerly passed from
61 Botvinnik . King's Indian Defence. mouth to mouth and a recurring motif was the "changed piece" and there were
62 Botvinnik Caro-Kann Defence
63 Botvinnik Reti Opening . other beliefs of a supernatural, even diabolical nature.
64 Botvinnik Dutch Defence . . Even the nineteenth century produced its legends about famous players,
but in the more enlightened atmosphere of those days there were reactions
against the myths. The young American, Paul Morphy, when he appeared
just one hundred years ago, was, because of his sensational record of victories,
supposed to have some strange intangible gift. But after his early retirement
his games were examined and analvsed in an attempt to reduce him once again
to normal proportions; even Max Lange, himself a notable master. tried this
with the games of the Anderssen match-and failed. Morphy was decades

8
9
ahead of his age in strategical maturity and in the richness of his tactical weap-
ons. His contemporaries, suspecting some hidden factor, possibly even mys-
tical in quality, failed to realise that the secret of his power could be found
wholly in his actual play.
Later still Lasker's qualities were similarly not reco~nized universally; op'c
of his chief opponents, no less a first-rank specialist than Dr. Sie.gbert Tar-
rasch, even tried to interpret or rather misinterPret the world champion's
successes as due to hypnotic influence.
Now, half a century later again, with a new star in the chess sky, a new
legend has been born. Around Mikhail Tal, new World Champion, stories
are woven which have just as little basis in reality. The truth once again is
that there is nothing more than a splendid new talent dressed in a new style,
a magnificent artist whose career is already an unsurpassed achievement in this
intellectual field,
Chess playing has spread in popularity, especially in the last two decadeli,
and nowhere more than in the Soviet Union. The high level of play there
puts the U. S. S. R. Championship among the world's severest competitions.
So it is small wonder that Mikhail Tal's victory in the 19i7 Championship,
when he had broen regarded up to then as no more than a talented young mas-
ter, caused great surprise. Nevertheless his sensational score was considered
to be in some degree no more than a freak of tournament luck; while it was
recognized that his play was full of invention and that his ideas and surprise
attacks, spiced with daring sacrifices, often fatally unsettled his opponents,
yet it was felt that others also possessed at least his talent and, though less
sensational, were probably sounder and intrinsically stron~er.
Then came the Championship of 1958. Again Tal was the winner, picking
up his points in games where a maelstrom of complications defied solution.
The young grandmaster from Riga became the darling of the public, for he
was bold and daring, no matter who his opponent, and his games were both
entertaining and exciting. As for the experts, they too praised and extolled him
but there was still a sense of reservation in their acknowledgements. Only
Keres, the combinative genius of the thirties and himself a favourite with
millions of amateurs, fully appreciated Tal's play; in a profound essay he
wrote, "Tal enjoys excitement and hair-raising complications and in that kind
of game he can find his way around better than anyone else."
Mikhail Tal, twice Soviet champion and international grandmaster, came
to the Porioroz international tournament of 1958 with no lack of authority
but among the world's best players (only Botvinnik, Keres and Smyslov were
absent) he was hardly expected to do more than obtain a distinguished posi-
tion in the prize list; once more he startled his critics by qualifying for the
following year's Candidates' tournament as a clear winner. Successful for the
first time outside the Soviet Union, he not only won but came ahead of
a leading world championship contender of the recent past in David Bron-
stein, acknowledged one of the world's best players.
With three great victories in two years, three first prizes in three major
tournaments, his genius could no longer be denied. Yet the sceptics remained
sceptical about his future. His games were put under the microscope, his com-
binations examined from every angle; and sure enough, the sceptics found
10
flaws here and there, though their discoveries no more disturbed Tal than they
helped his opponents.
A characteristic of Tal's style is complication, a de~ree of complication so
intense that powers of calculation are rendered quite useless and an inde-
finable" chess sense" becomes the only important factor. This chess sense im-
portant to any tactical player, is possessed by Tal in full measure and, ~orc­
over, in him it is developed and refined to a hitherto unknown degree. Thil
accounts for his phenomenal speed of play and explains why he !leeds to
spend only a few minutes over the most complicated positions. In analysis
after a game he shows off the variations like a virtuoso; sacrifices. traps and
ideas pursue one another with kaleidoscopic rapidity.
Chess is his passion and he brings to it the creativeness of the inventor and
a determined will to win. On the morning before an important ~ame his pre-
paration frequently involves some thirty or forty skittle ~ames or the study
of some hundreds of variations. Capablanca took his chess equally li~htly,
equally confidently, but his aim was the simple position and the forced varia-
tion; Tal prefers to drag his opponent to the ed~e of a precipice and he is
seldom the one that tumbles over it.
In the autumn of IQ58 he attended the Chess Olympics at Munich with a
burden of world fame on his shoulders. Playing as a member of the SOy iet
team he returned the best individual score and arrived home with an Olympic
medal as reward.
IQ59 was to prove a year of newer and greater successes. At the start of
the year he only came second behind Petrosian in the U. S. S. R. Champion-
ship, but his play was as sparkling as ever. Scarcely a month later he won first
prize in the grandmaster tournament at Zurich. though Keres was a compe-
titor; the local press on this occasion nicknamed him "The Black Panther."
With these tournaments as mere preliminaries he went on to the Candi-
dates' tournament. Although a larger section of world opinion now supported
him, few were bold enough to forecast before so great a tournament who
would come primus inter pares, when tJhe field included Smyslov, former
world champion and twice a winner at previous Candidates' tournaments,
and Keres, the perennial runner-up, both more highly thought of than Tal.
Yet if not a favourite, Tal was at least regarded as the best long shot among
the outsiders. And as the tournament proceeded, the long shot became first
the favourite and finally the winner. Thus Mikhail Tal won the right to chal-
lenge for the World Championship title, and his first thought was that, though
he had never yet had the opportunitv of playin~ a world champion. he now
had a whole match of such games before him.
The meeting of the two masters for the world title split the chess world
into two camps-those who staked their faith on Botvinnik and tho~e who
were as ardently in favour of the challenger. When Lasker challenged Steinitz,
it was a challenge of the younger generation against the older; when Alekhine
challenged Capablanca, it was a challenge of the dynamic style a~ainst the
classical style. Now, as Tal challenged Botvinnik. it was a challenge on both
count" a fight between two generations and a fight between two styles. Bot-
vinnik had three decades of success behind him and to engage him was un-
doubtedlv Tal's stiffest task yet; the grandmaster from Riga fulfilled all the
I I
hopes that were pinned on him and, in a match which lasted for 21 e;ames, he THE XXIIIRD CHAMPIONSHIP OF THE U. S. S. R.
emerged the victor by 12 1/2 points to 81/2.
Tal's brilliant ris,e to the summit brought back to life a style of play which
the pundits had long since buried among other museum relics. Grandmaster
Averbach, who acts as his second, regards him as the apostle of a new style, a
psychological-combinative style, rich in mutual chances and aiming to create
positions of uncertainty and complications where mere calculation is insuf-
ficient. Grandmaster Kotov, on the other hand. will have none of it. He sees
Tal's playas no more than the sum of the experiences of his e;reat predecessors.
particularly in the tactical field. To him Tal is a bold and enere;etic player A feature of the finals of the Soviet Championship is that year after year
who aims for complications right from the start and chooses openings where a crop of new talent is discovered and year after year the already large
his opponent cannot avoid a sharp clash. He admits that Tal has a special number of Soviet grandmasters is increased. 1956 was just such a year, full
gift for judging sharp positions and that perhaps no one else can so surely iden- of promise in that several talented young masters had won their way through
tify the combinative elements in the most placid positions or stir UP a storm the previous year's semi-finals into this final. Among the newcomers was
so effectively in the calmest waters. When playing against Tal, a thunderbolt Mikhail Tal.
may strike from a clear sky at any moment. The tournament fulfilled expectations with youth well to the fore and Tal
Some critics accuse Tal of taking unnecessary risks; others regard the risks himself securing a high place. For him 1956 was his year of great change. Not
as essential to a style which mrukes chess into a game of hazard. Certainly yet a grandmaster, his results and his play hinted at the genius soon to be
the risks are there if one calls his daring a risk; at those moments he enters revealed in full. His games, and especiaUy the six that follow. show him to
on such complications that the possibility of defeat must be there. Alekhine be already fully equipped and they rival in quality his finest efforts in the
was once called an adventurer by those who failed to understand his brave years to come.
experiments and bold openings; and who criticizes Alekhine now?
The weavers of legend have also reared their heads. They have revived GAME 1 Kt-QB3 P-KKt3
Tarrasch's formula and the myth of hypnosis. Did not one of the participants 6 P-B4 Kt-B3
at the Candidates' tournament wear dark glasses to play ae;ainst Tal? Needless It was the XXIIIrd U. S. S. R. Cham- KtxKt PxKt
7
to say, it failed to prevent Tal winning the game and the first prize. pionship which introduced Tal's name to 8 P-Kj Kt-Q2
Szabo, analysing Tal's victory in the Candidates' tournament. suggests that wCJrld-wide chess circles; prior to that he PxP PxP
9
we may be entering upon a new era. Unparalleled successes cannot have no was just one among a troop of talented IO B-K3
effect, nor can it be mere chance that wins five maior first prizes in three youngsters. The public at once took him
years. So, like the old alchemists who searched for the philosopher's stone, to its heart for his refusal to be awed by Lisitzin has chosen a little-played varia-
we should seek some quality in Tal's style or in his will to win which, out authority, his willingness to tilt at the tion which is slightly in White's favour.
of the complications, produces the pure gold. strongest grandmasters with his storming Any lack of harmony in Black's position
Other Soviet grandmasters who are known for their bold and ae;gressive attacks. The experts took note too, but is partly compensated by the weaknes; of
style come in for criticism from Kotov. He pictures them cautiously turning only of his tactics. Actually his gifts were White's king's side after 6 P-B4. Because
their opponents over, this side and that, looking for a weak spot or an inaccu- already many-sided, and so, paradoxically, of this weakness Tal plays to castle on
racy; only if they find it do they attack magnificently; if nor. they compro- we introduce the greatest attacking genius the Queen's side.
mise. Not so Tal. So in the Candidates' tournament. to keep pace with him. of our age with a game in the positional
his opponents were compelled to play in his style and even Petrosian. likened IO B-Kz
style. None the less, it is a true Tal crea-
a few months earlier to Capablanca, had to embark on wild Tal-like combi- II Q-B3 P-Q4
tion with its snake lurking in the grass.
nation.;. His influence increases steadily. Every lover of beauty in chess now 12 0-0-0 B-B3
looks to Tal for the profundity and the brilliance he admires. and chess- 13 B-Q4 0-0

players everywhere follow Tal's style, or would if they only dared. SICILIAN DEFENCE
Castling on opposite sides normally sug-
No living chess master can claim successes to match Tal's. The meteorlike TAL LISITZIN gests mutual attacks on the opposing king.
suddenness of his appearance recalls Morphy. the style of his victories Ale- Unsuspected by Lisitzin, Tal is actually
khine. If his secret is to be discovered, then it must be by scientific analysis of I P-K4 P-Q B4
playing for a favourable end-game.
his strange, unparalleled genius, and for that we must oroceed to tlle games 2 Kt-KB3 P-Q3
themselves. 3 P-Q4 PxP 14 P-KR4 R-Ku
4 KtxP Kt- KB3 Ij Q-Bz!

lZ
With his previous move Tal engaged An error which allows White to 31 P-R4 7 P-Kj Kt-Q4
Black's attention on the king's side; now obtain the advantages mentioned above. 36 RxP Kt-K3 8 0-0 KtxKt
he aims at a weakness on the other wing. As a means of meeting the threat of 37 R-Kq ch K-BI 9 PxKt P-K3
A co-ordinated attack against two distant P-KKq he would do better either by 38 KxP KtxKt dis. ch He cannot win a pawn by 9 ... , BxKt;
parts of the board is a frequent occur- 22 ... , Kt-B3; 23 R(Q,)-K" RxR Chi 39 KxKt R-K3 10 BxB, PxP; II PxP, KtxP; because of 12
rence in Tal's games. 24 RxR, R-KI; or by 22 ... , Kt-Kt6; 40 KxP B-R3! with a strong attack already. A
.3 R(BI)-KI, R(BI)-KI; with equal chances The return journey has proved even more nasty little trap!
15 R-Ktj profitable. Now it IS just a matter
either way. From now on Black plays very IO Kt-Kt5!
16 BxB KtxB of technique.
passively.
17 P-R3 With the obvious intention of sacrificing
4° R-QKq on KB7, though the soundness of the move
23 R(BI)-KI R(BI)-KI
The capture of the pawn on QR7 would 41 P-Kt4 PxP is doubtful.
24 RxR RxR
be hazardous, for after 17···, Q-Q3; 42 PxP K-K2
25 K-Q2! IO BxB
18 P-KKt3, RxKtP! Black would have a 43 K-Bj R-B3
II QxB P- KR 3
dangerous attack for the sacrifice of the His remarkable plan begins to m3terialize! 44 R-Q4 R-B4 ch
<'"xchange. 4j K-Kt6 R-B3 ch
The white K is to proceed by way of the
46 K-B7 R-B4
Q- Kt 3 weak squares to the pawns on QR7 and
17 47 R-K4 ch K-B3
18 QxQ RxQ QB6.
48 K-B6 R-B7
19 Kt-R4 25 Kt-Kt6 49 P-Kq P-R4
26 K-B3 P-B5? jO PxP K-Kt4
Already casting his eye upon the weak
1I P-Kq P-B4
black squares in his opponent's game.
Playing to win the KRP without realizing 52 R-Kq P-Bj
19 R-Kt2 that then he cannot make use of his K- 53 P-Kt6 P-B6
20 B-Q3 Kt-R4 side pawns to any effect. Better was 54 P-Kt7 Resigns
21 KR-BI R-K2 26 ... , Kt-KI chi followed by the cen-
tralization of his K. GAME 2
Simagin uses an eccentric opening to
27 K-Q4 B-B4 throw Tal off balance or else to lure him 12 KtxBPI
28 R-Q2 R-K 3 into a rash and premature attack. The Believing it to be unsound, Simagin pro-
29 Kt-13\ R-R3 outcome destroys his hopes, for genius is vokes Tal into making the very sacrifice
3° K-Kj
not to be thus impeded. A wonderful game he was intending.
results, in which a surprise attack on a
This blend of sacrifice and combination 12 KxKt
solid position and a sparkling series of
leading to invasion through the opponent's 13 P-Bj PxKP
small combinations all testify to Tal's splen-
weak squares creates a rare harmony, for 14 PxP dbl. ch KxP
di d ch ess sense.
which one must go back to the games of
Alekhine and Reti to find an analogy. ANTAL DEFENCE

3° l'hB TAL SIMAGIN

22 P-BI! 31 PxB RxP P-K4 P-Q B3
32 K-Q6 R-R3 ch 2 P-Q4 P-Q3
A fine sacrifice of a pawn which permits 33 K-B7 Kt- B 4 3 Kt-QB, Kt-B3
the active co-ordination of the white pieces, 34 K-Kt7 Kt-Q5 4 P-B4 Q-Kq
spoils Black's pawn skeleton and limits the 35 R-KB2! 5 Kt-B3 B-Ktj
range of his bishop. Thus there is ample 6 B-K2 QKt-Q2
compensation for the material loss, though A necessary precaution against the threat
of R-R7. Meanwhile the white king has If Black imagines his posItIon is suffi-
Black is not bound to accept the offer.
marched into the hostile camp with the ciently solid to render any attack difficult
22 PxP? off-hand air of a medieval knight. of execution, he is soon disillusioned.

15
 IS R-KtI! 28 Q-K6 Ch K-R2
39 P-R4! K-K4
The first point of the combination; Black r\ow we can see why Black tried to avoid 40 P-Rs K-Q4
The most energetic move, and better than
is to find that he cannot get his king into the square KKt3; he cannot play 28 ... , 41 Q-Q8 ch K-Kj
Il Q-B3. White's position is now slightly
safety. B-B3; on account of 29 Q-Bj ch, K-B2: 42 P-R6 K-B6
the better.
10 QxKt. 4~ P-R7 R-K7
Ij QxR R(K3)-K6 KtxKt
44 Q-Q3 ch II
16 Q-B4 ch K-Q~ 29 QxKt KR-KI 4j QxR(K3) chI Resigns 12 QxKt
17 B-R~ ch K-B2 30 R-B7!
18 RxQ BxB If BxKt, Black obtains a free game by
The attack persists. Tal goes on combining, GAME 3 12 ... , P-Ktj; 13 Kt-K2, P-K4; 14 B-K3,
On a material count Black has no cause almost out of spite, until victory is Wall. 0-0.
for complaint, but White's two pieces easily The splendid ending of this game against
soften up the black position and Black can 30 B-BI Khasin is most memorable. Initiative is 12 D-O
never get his pieces into co-ordinated ac- 31 Q-BS ch K-Ktl the breath of life to Tal and, as here, he 13 PxP?
tion. ~2 K-B2 is ready to pay a great price for it; the
decisive combination occurs in one of those With QR-QI White, already having an
19 Q-Kt3 B-K2 The safety of his own king must be at- carefully created positions of uncertainty. advantage in space, might well have
20 QxP ch K-Q3 tended to, and he finds a suitable square In the opening Tal does not look for the stepped up the pressure. He could not gain
21 PxP ch KtxP 011 his KR4. move which is absolutely best, but content, any advantage by I~ P-QR4, because of
22 R-QI eh K-K3 himself often with the second or third best the reply B-Q2.
32 B-B4 ch
23 Q-Kt3 eh K-B4 and in that respect also this game is typi-
33 K- Kt 3 R-K6 ch 13
24 R-Br ch cal of his style.
34 K-R4 R(RI)-KI
Step by step the noose is drawn tighter. PxP would not do because of the surprising
SICILIAN DEFENCE move 14 Kt-Qj!, with advantage to White.
KHASIN TAL as the following variations show:
I. 14 ... , KtxKt; 15 BxKt, R-KtI;
P-K4 P-QB4
16 RxR ch. BxR; I7 Q-R71, B-
2 Kt-KB; Kt-QB;
Kt2; 18 BxP ch, K-Rr; r9 B-Kt6,
3 P-Q4 PxP
and wins.
4 KtxP Kt-B3
II. 14 ... , PxKt; Ij BxP ch, KtxB;
j Kt-QB3 P-Q3
16 QxKt ch, K-RI; I7 RxR ch.
6 B-QB4 P-K~
BxR; 18 QxR. and wins.
7 0-0 P-QR;
III. 14 ...• Q-Kt2; 15 KtxB eh. QxKt;
Preparing for an early advance on the 16 B-KB4. and 17 QR-Qr.
queen's side, though 7 ... , B-KI; is a 14 QR-QI QR-BI
more accurate defence. Ij K-RI
3S RxP chi
8 B-K; The pOSitIOn is now equal. White's slight
This second sacrifice of a rook, as sur-
prising as the first, leads to a winning advantage in space is offset by Black's
Looking for shelter in the middle of the B-KKtj, is more energetic.
end-game. The sheer beauty of the game counter-chances on the QB file
board; an interesting idea which is forced 8 Q-B2
upon him since the natural-looking 24.. , is enhanced by the way in which Tal KR-QI
9 B-Kt~ B-KI 15
K-Kt3; would lose material. Nevertheless. handles pure technicalitics with "little
16 Kt-Qj?
as the game shows, he cannot avoid the combinations. " Transposing back into the variation he left
fatal square. two moves earlier. A second faulty plan, which renders the
;j KxR
KB inactive because of the' weakness of the
2j R-KI ch K-B4 36 QxB R(KI)-K; 10 P-B4 P-QKq!? QBP and the closing of the diagonal.
26 P-Kt4 ch K-B~ 37 QxP chI K-Kt3 16 B-Ktj came much more into consid-
And at once diverging again, the usual
27 R-BI eh K-Kt~ ~8 Q-R8 K-B;
line being 10 ... , 0-0. eration.

16
 16 BxKt This leads to the eventual loss of the KtxB larIy memorable. From start to finish
17 PxB Kt-Q2 game. There was more hope in 27 Q-B4, White's every move in this game is played
R-K7; 28 Q-B3, because now 28 ... , RxB; with a view to attack.
Now Black has the better game, with all
bils after 29 RxR, QxR; 30 QxP ch.
his pieces in active play.
SICILIAN DEFENCE
27 RxQP!
18 Q-KB4 B-B~
TAL ,TOLUSH
19 B-Q4 R-KI! The fireworks start with a fine example
P-K4 P-QB4
of a combination based on the pin of a
BxB looks attractive, since the reply Kt-KB~ P-Q3
piece.
20 QxBP ch, would cost White his queen. 3 P-Q4 PxP
The text-move earns its exclamation mark 28 Q-B2 4 KtxP Kt-KB3
because White would actually answer j Kt-QB3 P-QR3
19· .. , BxB; with 20 RxB, Kt-K4; 21 If 28 BxR, Black has the threat 28 .... 6 B-Ktj P-K3
P-B3, R-KI; 22 B-B2, and so obtain a QxQ!; 29 BxP ch, K-Rl; 30 R-KB4, 7 P-B4 Q-Kt3
dangerous attack on the K side. Kt-Kt3!
Complications start after only seven moves.
20 P-B~ R-K2 28 R-K4 R-K8! At every tournament the theoreticians
29 B-Q3 and the players get together and discuss
R-K7 would be a blunder, answered by And now the brilliant finish! This deci- such sharp variations and the opinions on
2lQ-Kt4! sive combination exploits the weakness ot
White is weak on the back rank, while their merits and demerits vary continually
21 B-QB2 BxB Black's sensitive spot is his KBz; on these the back rank in a surprising fashion. as some innovation is made in a fashionable
22 Q-R4 factors Tal constructs his decisive combi- line.
33 Q-Qj
An illusory threat, which only advances nation. A striking feature of his plan is 8 Q-Q2! QxP~
Black's game. Better was 22 RxB. that the knight which has been serving If 33 RxQ, Black wins by 33 ... , RxR ch;
a defensive purpose on his KBI appears 34 QxR, RxR; and there is no answer to The QKtP has been regarded as poison
22 Kt-Bl in the middle of White's position in only the threat of R-K8. by every type of master from the classical
23 RxB R-K7 three more moves. Tarrasch to the neo-romantic Tartakover.
24 B-Bj R(BI)-Kl! 33 QxRl And still it is swallowed by masters who
Kt-Q2! believe they have found an antitoxin in
Black now seizes a definite initiative and A move that deserves another diagram.
develops a wonderful combination out of it. the laboratory of their analysis.
34 QxQ ch K-RJ R-QKu Q-R6
2j R-QKq R-Q7 9
3j K-KtJ RxR ch IO P-Kj! PxP
26 B-K4 Q-K2 R-K8
36 QxR II PxP KKt-Q2
Kt-Kt3 also came into consideration. 12 Kt-K4
And White resigned in a few more moves.
27 Q-KI? A perfect example of centralized knights
ill the Nimzovitch manner. Note that every
GAME 4
white piece except the kin?;'s rook is poised
In this game both contestants carry slm:·· for attack and therefore the exposure
lar armament. A few years ago Botvin- of the white king is of no consequence.
nik described Tolush as the one master in The black king on the other hand offers
a ready target, especially to the knights.
the Soviet Union who above all others
ba~ed his play on sound reasoning. Simi-
Needless to say, the KP is taboo because
larly Tal's most potent weapon is the of the answer 13 Kt-Ktj!
3° Kt-B4!
31 RxP ability to orient himself in complicated si· 12 QxP
tuations. Tolush is so rarely beaten at his
A move with the bishop would allow the own game of attacks and richly combina- Two years later Tolush himself made a
entry of the black rook at his K7. tive sacrifices that this game is particu- remarkable improvement in Black's defen-
sive system by an apparently insignificant with the threat of B-B4 ch came into con· GAME 5
interpolation, as follows: 12 ... , P-R3; sideration.
13 B-R4, QxP; 14 R-Kt3, Q-R8 ch; Ij K- In this game against Ragosin the road
B2, Q-Rj; 16 B-QKtj, PxB; 17 KtxKtP, to victory is hedged with anxious moments.
B-B4 chI; 18 KtxB, QxB chi 19 P-Kt3, Though Tal exerts all his will-power to force
Q-QI; 20 Q-Q6, KtxKt; 21 Kt-B7 ch. the issue from first to last, he meets with
QxKt; 22 QxQ, QKt-R3; 23 Q-Kt6, KtxR; stiff resistance. Ragosin's highly unortho-
24 PxKt, 0-0; and Black won. (Korchnoi- dox queen manoeuvres take the game into
Tolush, I9j8) uncharted waters where navigation is ex-
tIemely hazardous. Tal's intuition in such
13 R- Kt 3 Q-R8 ch circumstances does not betray him, how-
14 K-B2 Q-Rj ever, and he is able to lead into an instruc-
24 Kt-Q7 dis. ch! tive and winning end-game. It was Rago-
sin who a few years later described Tal as
The complications reach their peak. Black
seeming to move the pieces with a magic
can only escape mate by yielding material.
wand, and he certainly does so here from
18 R-KI! 24 K-K t 3 the 47th move onwards. The game, in spite
of a certain lack of unity, nevertheless
One more effect of the initial B-sacrifice The lesser of two evils. If K-K2; 2j Q-
creates a powerful impression.
is that the only inactive piece now comes Bj ch, K-QI (K-KI; 26 Q-B8 chi; 26 Q-
to life. The move is far from obvious, but B7 ch.
the superficially attractive 18 Kt-B7 ch, is SLAV DEFENCE
2j KtxP ch K-Ktz
satisfactorily met by K-B2, since the CI1P- TAL RAGOSIN
26 R-Kt~ chI QxR
ture of Black's QR would only simplify the
His resistance collapses. If 26 ... , K- R3' P-Q4 P-Q4
position while leaving Black with a ma-
27 Kt-B7 ch, BxKt; 28 Q-Q2 ch, K-R4; z P-QB4 P-QB3
terial advantage.
29 R-Kj ch, with mate to follow. Natu- 3 Kt-QB, Kt-B3
Ij B-Ktsl 18 4 Kt-B3 P-KKt~
rally if 26 ... , K-B3; 27 Q-Q8 ch.
j B-B4
A beautiful move introducing a whole se- Not PxB because of 19 Kt-B7 ch, K-Bz; 27 QxP ch Kt-Q2
ries of forcing combinations. From now 20 R-B3 ch, or if 19 ... , K-Kz; zo Q- 28 PxQ R-Kt3 An old variation, remInISCent of the Bot-
on Tal does not let his opponent get a Q6 ch, leading to mate in either case. 29 Q-B7 B-QB4 vinnik-Levenfisch match. White has the
word in, but continues on his course with 30 KtxKt B-Bj ch easier game with his steady, sound devel-
the utmost accuracy. There is no better 19 BxP KtxB 31 R-K2 opment, while Black is som~what cramped.
reply than the text-move, although it brings 20 KtxKt ch K-B2
j B-Ktz
the knight into action, for if Ij ... , Q-R1; ZI R-KB~l
6 P-K~ Q-R4
[6 Q-B3! 7 B-Kz QKt-Qz
A key move in the weaving of a mating
Ij PxB net, though the winning process is still Kt-Kj would be inferior because of the
16 KtxKtP P-B~ rar from easy. continuation 8 Q-Bz, B-B4; 9 B-Q3, with
Forced by the threat of 17 Kt-B7 mate. 2I Q-Rj ch a further gain in development to White.
H 16 •.. , Kt-R3; White can force the issue 8 0-0
by 17 Kt(4)-Q6 ch. QxKt is answered by 22 Kt-Qj dis. ch, and
the attack can easily be forced home. Sur· A sharp line, getting rid of the white QB
17 PxP PxP? prisingly enough after ZI ... , B-B4 chi at the cost of weakening his K-side pawns.
the king would be safe on KKt~.
A mistake which allows White's attack to 9 B-Ktj P-K R 3
gain momentum. KtxP gave much better 2Z K-BI P-K4 The final pOSItIOn. Tolush, with a lost IO B-R4 P-KKt4
defensive chances and even QxKt(Kj) Z, Q-Qj ch B-K3 game, overstepped the time limit. II Kt-Qz!

20 ZI
 The saving clause I Black cannot play 29 ..., intensifying of the complications by the
Recognising that after II B-Kt3, KtxB; 12 Before anything else he must secure the QP. RxP; because of 30 QR-Br, followed text-move is only justified by Black's errot
RPxKt, he cannot exploit the weakness of a move later.
2r Kt-Q3 by P-K6 with advantage.
the black KRP as it will be adequately
defended by the bishop. The text virtually 22 Kt-B5 BxP
29
forces Black's reply, since II . . . , QKt-B3; The question underlying all this cut and 30 QR-KI B-Kt2
is answered by 12 B-Kt3. thrust is whether White's centre pawns are 3r P-QR3
Had Black realised at this point that one
PxB weak or strong. purpose of the rook sacrifice was to secure
II Consolidating the position of his knight.
12 BxKt Kt-Bl 22 B-Bj a favourable end-game, he would have
13 B-B3 played 37 ... , Kt-Q3; holding the QKtP.
This omission leads to the loss of the
At the end of the opening exchanges Tal has As a result of his 28th move Black is stra-
game.
the better position, but Black's two bishops tegically lost, so he endeavours to work up
and open KKt file give him chances. a counter-attack by sacrificing a pawn in 38 Kt-Q7! Q- B4
order to move his knight from its passive 39 BxR ch QxB
13 0-0 position on QBI to an active situation on 40 QxKtP! R-B7
14 Q-B2 PxP Qj.
P-R6 came into consideration.
He starts to exploit his chances by yielding F RxP Kt-B4
the centre in order to get his queen into
action.
Tal's plan of leading to a winning end-game
Ij KtxP Q-KK t 4 while still a piece down is quite an
This was the kind of situation Black envis- aftonishing conception.
aged when he embarked on his 8th move. QxP
4r
16 K-RI Energetic but forced. With other moves 42 Kt-Kt4 Q-B2
17 Kt-Kj White might get into trouble with his KP. 43 Q-Q3 R-Kt7
44 Q-K4 P-R4
Changing his plan. He recognises that the 23 P-Kt4 4j Kt-K3 R-K7
24 QxRP
KKt file offers no prospects, while an ex- 46 P-Kt5!
change of queens (which Tal rightly avoids) He must accept this unimportant pawn ,n
would emphasise the power of his two A little combination on the Capablanca
exchange for his QP because 24 Q-Qr?, 'If H RxPI
bishops. rnodel, designed to cause further simpli-
answered by Kt-B4!
A risky and unnecessary sacrifice. Correct fication.
18 P-K4!
24 Kt-BI was the simple 33 R-K2, Q-B6; 34 Q-Qj,
He seizes the centre, but the weakness of 2j Q-B7 B"Kt R-Bj; 3j Kt-K4, Q-Bj; 36 Q-Q2. Tal pro-
the pawn structure, demanding as it does 26 BxB RxP bably hoped to exploit his opponent's time All unsuspecting, he commits the error of
defence by pieces, is to cause him some 27 QxBP Q- B7 trouble with the sacrifice, expecting Rago- exchanging the strong bishop for the distant
anxiety. sin to prove unable to find the best defence. passed pawns. Better was Kt-1:S4.
Imposing a dangerous pin on the white
It is a piece of typical Tal, designed to re-
18 Q-R2 knight, the consequences of which Tal has
tain his initiative. 47 Kt-Bj! RxQ
The queen is on the attack even in this taken into account in working out his K-Kt2
48 KtxB ch
curious position. 18 ... , Q-Kt4; would be counter-attack. 33 KxKt
49 KtxQ
less good on account of 19 QR-QI, KR-Qr; 34 B-Qj
R-QBj 50 P-Kt6!
3j R-KKtr
20 B-K2, with the threat of P-B4.
Overlooking White's fine reply. Better was 36 Q-KKt6 It is now all a matter of timing. The black
r9 Q-R4 Kt-Kr 28 ... , BxP; at once with equal chances. More accurate was 36 QxKtP, with three knight cannot hold the white pawns on both
20 Kt-Q3 R-Qr pawns and an attack for the piece. The wings.
2r Kt-K2

22
 72 K-R\ K-B3 IOQxKt Kt-B3 Starting to get his own pawns under way
73 P-Kt4 K-Kt2 IIBxP chi? KxB at the wrong moment, since White's attack
74 K-Kt5 K-R2 12 Q-Q5 ch B-K3 will move faster. It would have been pre-
75 K-B6 K-Ktl K-Ktl
13 Q-Rj ch ferable to prepare for defence with Q-K2
76 K-Kt6 K-RI
14 o-o? and R-KI.
77 P-Kt5 K-Ktl
78 K-R6 K-RI Now Black gains a piece with a favourable
79 P-Kt6 K-Ku position. 22 B-B2 P-Kq
80 P-Kt7 Resigns

•• •
14 Kt-K4 Unsuspecting he moves on to his doom.

GAME 6 Hoping to create an effective defence by

23 B-R4 P-Ktj
answering 15 P-KR3, with B-B2; or 15 P-
24 Kt-K4 B-Q4
50 Kt-B3 Anatole France once remarked that B4, with B-Ktj. But Tal now springs a
2j BxKt! BxB
51 P-R, K-KI genius is an uncomfortable bedfellow. Ban- fresh surprise.
26 R-KI B-Qj cll
52 R-QI Kt-Ktl nik must have felt similarly closeted dur-
27 K-RI R-KR2
53 R-Q5! ing this game, and not without reason. 28 R-Kq cll R-Kt2
His position is threatened by intrIcate com-
Although White has a won game, the tech- binations all the way from the 8th move
nique is not easy. Black has stopped the and is finally broken before the end-game
Q-side pawns and the way must therefore can be reached.
be cleared for the K-side advance.
RUY LOPEZ
53 R-K8 ch
54 K-R2 R-QKt8 TAL BANNIK
55 RxP RxP 1 P-K4 P-K4
56 RxP K-K2 2 Kt-KB3 Kt-QB3
57 R-QK4 RxR 3 B-Kt\ F-QR3
\8 PxR Kt-B3 4 B-R4 P-Q3
59 P-Kt5 Kt-Q5 5 P-B3 B-Q2 Ij Kt-Bj!? P-KKt3
60 P-Kt6 K-Q2 6 P-Q4 KKt-K2 16 Q-R 3 PxKt
61 P-R4 K-B 3 7 B-Kq P-R3 I7 PxP B-Bj
62 P-R\ Kt- K 3 8 Kt-R4! 18 P-B4! Kt-Q2? 29 R-Kt6!
63 P-R6 Kt-BI
KxP A remarkable conception. Since White has A grave mistake. He should play BxR and
64 K-Kt3 Black must remove this terrible rook which
the advantage in space, the orthodox pro- after 19 PxKt, PxP!; White's best chance
cess would have been to complete the devel- is to play either 20 Q-QKt3 ch, K-R2; is threatening RxRP and R-R8 ch. But in
The black king returns too late. so doing he reconstructs Tal's pawn posi-
opment by castling and then take the ini- 21 KxB, Q-Q2; or 20 Q-K4 ch, B-Kt2;
tiative in the centre. Tal, however, diverges 21 KxB, Q-Qj. In either case Black is the tion. The united passed pawns soon prove
65 K-B4 K-B2
with a temporary pawn sacrifice, the con- exchange ahead and should win. adequate compensation for the piece.
66 K-B\ K-Q2
67 K-B6 K-KI sequences of which he has carefully worked
out. 19 R-B3 B-Kt2 29 RxR
68 K-Kt7 K-K2
20 Kt-B3 Kt-B3 30 PxR Q-KBI
69 P-R7 KtxP
8 PxP 31 Q-Q7 B-KKt2
70 KxKt K-B3 9 PxP KtxP Q-B3 would not have put a brake on 32 Kt-Kt3!
71 K-R6 K-B4
White's impetus because the answer would
Expecting to relieve any pressure on his
have been 21 P-KKt4. Indirectly defending the BP, since if F ... ,
That Black did not resign here or even ear- KBP by exploiting the position of the un- QxP; 33 Kt-Rj. Meanwhile the advance
lier must be ascribed to obstinacy. defended white knight.
21 B-K3 P-B4 d the pawn is prepared.
 32 R-Qr
4r Kt-Ri R-KBr
THE XXIVTH CHAMPIONSHIP OF THE U. S. S. R.
H Q-K 4 R-Kr
34 R-Qr BxRP 42 Q-Qj ch K-Rr
3j P-B5! P-B, 43 KtxB
36 P-R4 P-Q4 Removing an irreplaceable defender.
37 R-KBr B-B3
38 Q-Qr
43 QxKt
The whole Q manoeuvre, comprising this 44 Q- Kt7 Q-Kt2
and the next two moves, deserves an excla- The XXIVth Championship was a notable landmark in the series of
4j QxKtP K-Ktr
mation mark. The black king cannot be de- Russian Chess Championships, the expectations which it aroused being sur-
46 P-Rj Q-Q2
fended on every side. passed only by the final result. Without exception every participant aimed
47 P-B6 Q- Kt 5
at playing chess that was both artistic and sporting, and this with players
38 P-Q5 48 P-B7 ch K-Kt2
of such quality meant that the tournament produced many fine games includ-
39 Q- R4 B-Kt6 49 Q-Bj Q-Rj ch
ing some that can be rightly regarded as true gems of chess play. After
40 Q-B6 Q-K2 50 K-KtI Resigns
this great tournament was over, even Keres declared that he was remlIlded
In view of the mating threats Black aims He has no defence against the twin threats of his own younger days when he had always been ready to sacrifice pieces
at all costs to hold his KB3, but in vain. of Q-Kj ch and QxR ch. for the attack and had tried at all times to obtain sharp positions.
But the XXIVth U. S. S. R. Chess Championship was especially remarkable
in that for the first time for many years there was the refreshing spectacle
ofa mere master securing the palm ahead of the many grandmasters, and
needless to s,ay this was none other than Mikhail Tal, at the time a bare
twenty years of age. The tournament can thus be regarded not only as adding
one mot'e to the number of grandma'sters but also as marking the real start
of an unparalleled grandmaster career. It proved that Tal's play was not only
stronger but also more consistent and confident.

GAME 7 DUTCH DEFENCE

The first tournament at which chess clocks ARONSON TAL
were employed was that in London in r862 P-Q4 P-K3
and since then time has managed to spoil 2 P-QB4 P-KB4
many a fine game. Goethe described time 3 Kt-KB3 Kt-KB3
as an unfriendly tyrant and certainly the 4 Kt-B3 B-K2
majority of chessplayers are all too aware j P-KKt3 0-0
of this tyrant at their elbow. Tal, however, 6 B-Kt2 P-Q3
must be excepted. It was apparent to all dur-
lfig the course. of the XXIVth Champion- Employing a loose fan-like pawn structure
ship, even if it had not been before. that which permits later counter-chances at the
Tal was playing rapidly, almost too rapidly, cost of a weak spot on Black's Q4.
while his opponents were being suffocated
7 0-0 Q-Kr
by shortage of time. 8 R-KI Q- Kt 3
In the following game Aronson found P>-P
9 P-K4
the positions so tense and difficult that like IO KtxP KtxKt
many others he became pressed for time and II RxKt Kt-B3
in fact still had four moves to make when
his flag fell, though his position by then was A well-known position which had previously
lost anyway. occurred in the Euwe-Bronstein game in the
1953 Candidates' Tournament at Zurich. 19 P-QKq 22 PxP 27 B-K; Kt-K~!
Clearly Black cannot take the rook because 28 Q-Q6 Q- B4
of the loss of the queen by 12 Kt-R4. He In spite of his time trouble Aronson accu- A startling surprise, White having only 29 B-B4 Kt-Kt4
therefore prepares P-K4 though it is by no rately pursues the strategical demands of reckoned with 22 ... , P-B3. The combina-
means certain that it cannot be played at the position. tive situation created by White's last move P-Kt4 was undoubtedly a winner, but there
once without this preparatory move. is immediately used by Tal for his own is no need to wreck his king's position in
19 Q- B3 order to try and win.
ends.
12 Q-K2 20 P-Kt; Kt-QI
21 B-Qj ch? 23 Q-Q2? 30 Q-Kt4 B-Kj
R-K3 would have delayed P-K4, for if
then 12 ... , P-K4; I~ PxP, B-Kt;; 14 PxP, 1'.n error. 21 P-Bj l, would have left a po- There were more chances with the logical The bishop's work on the rear rank is done.
BxP; Ij P-Bj, B-K2; 16 P-Kt4, B-B3; sition with equal chances. And next move 23 BxQ, though after 23 ... , PxQ; 24 RxP Entry will now be made on the seventh
17 B-Kt2, BxB; 18 Q-Kt3 ch, K-RI; be commits a further inaccuracy. ch, B-R2; 2j B-Q4, P-K7; 26 R-KI, White rank.
19 QxB, and White is a pawn ahead. certainly has to reckon with a very strong
black KP. 31 BxB RxB
12 B-B~ ~2 R--KBI R-K7
13 B-Q2 23 Q-Kt3 chI 33 Q-Q6 RxQRP

13 B-B4, P-Q4!; appears to give Black good A necessary interpolation, to draw the white A necessary precaution, for if at once
chances. bishop from the defence of his KI. White 33 ... , Kt-R6 ch; 34 RxKt, QxR.
cannot answer 24 Q-Q4, because of PxP. 3; Q-Q~ ch.
13 P-K4
14 PxP PxP 24 B-Q4 Q- Kt 3 34 Q-Qj Q- B7
2j QxP 3j P-B; R-QI
This sharp method of recapturing the pawn
involves hazards but serves Tal's hopes of Avoiding a further trap. 3j ... , R-KI;
If 2j RxP, Kt-K~!
counter-play leading to an attack. It is a would have cost him the game after
typical move of the kind that leads to a Tal 21 K-RI
2j K-R2 36 RxP ch.
victory. 26 QxP
Much better than K-R2 when 22 B-K4!,
would allow White to force advantageous R-KI
Ij B-B~ Not 26 R-BI, because of B-R6!
exchanges.
It is quite a striking idea to give up one I\t this point Aronson overstepped the time
of the two bishops in so open a position, limit. However, the game is completed, for
merely to push a white rook from a strong he has no defence against 37 ... , R-K8!
square to one less in the limelight. He could largely have repaired his previous
error by 22 R-KI, but the lure of Black's
16 Kt-R4 BxKt isolated pawn is too tempting. GAME 8
17 RxB
So far the antagonists have been merely It is naturally pleasant to see a young
sparring and at this point. White can be candidate for the title of Grandmaster get
said to have a slight pull owing to his two away to an exceIlent start. Nevertheless
bishops, while Black has counter-chances on there were many threatening moments be-
the KB file. These chances, supplemented fore this second win was achieved. Taimanov
by a shortage of time on Aronson's clock, must have felt that victory was already his
prove fully adequate. when he was struck by a bolt from the blue
26 B-Kt8! and in one horrible moment the whole course
QR-KI of the game was changed. Similar surprises
P-KR3 The point of Black's combination. He probes are not uncommon in Tal's games and he
the weakness of White's back rank with has coIlected many valuable points in this
Not yet P-K; because of 19 R-Kd a series of mating threats. way.

28
 NIMZO-INDIAN DEFENCE 17 Q-Qj ch K-RI is his queen to go? He has nothing better some gadfly of madness hovers around
than the place he chooses. Tal's opponents in many of his games. Thus
TAIMANOV TAL the present game turns out to be one of
P-QB4 Kt-KB, 20 Q-R, RxR ch :those "psychological-combinative" efforts,
2 Kt-QB, P-K, 21 RxR Q-Ktj! where one impetus follows another from
, P-Q4 B-Ktj the middle game onwards until even the
Tal's diabolical trap is sprung and mat"
4 P-K~ P-B4 ending is dressed with its own combina-
can only be avoided by giving up the unde-
j B-Q, 0-0 tion.
fended rook.
6 Kt-B, P-Q4
7 0-0 Kt-B, 22 Kt-KI· QxR
8 P-QR, PxQP 2, PxB QxKt ch SLAV DEFENCE
24 K-Kt2 Kt-Qj
BxKt was safe and leads to equality. After TAL BRONSTEIN
the text-move White obtains an advantage It is small comfort to White that he comes
P-Q4 P-QB,
in space, exemplified by his control of the out only the exchange down, since his king
2 P-QB4 Kt-B,
Q file. 18 Q-Q6? finds himself in a mating net.
3 Kt-QB~ P-Q4
9 PxB PxKt The correct continuation was Q-B7, but in 2j PxKt PxP 4 Kt-B, P-KKt,
10 PxBP Q-B2 Older to avoid the complications resulting 26 B-B4 j PxP
from the reply 18 ... , P-Kj; Taimanov se- Simplest, but as a result Tal makes little'
Even the exchange of queens will not now 26 B-BI, could be answered by P-Q6!
lects the text-move, which merely proves to
ease Black's plight. For example, 10 . . . • out of the opening, the middle game in
be a case jumping out of the frying pan into 26 Q-Kj ch
PxP; II BxP, QxQ; 12 RxQ, Kt-Kj; any case being his main interest. A more
the fire. 27 K-Kt, promising line was j P-K3, B-Kt2;
I, B-Kt2 and White's two bishops are all
set to come into action. 18 Q-BI 6 B-K2, 0-0; 7 0-0 with some prospects
He has little choice, since Q-B, with ex-
19 P-Ktj? of initiative on the Q side.
change of queens would be fatal.
II Q-K2 B-Q2
12 P-K4! j PxP
Still unsuspecting, though the threat of a 27
6 B-B4 Kt-B3
discovered attack on his queen merited at-
An excellent move which serves the mul- The net is closing. 7 P-K, B-Ktz
tention.
tiple purposes of opening the Q file, bring- 8 B-K2 0-0
IDg the QB into play, giving White a 28 Q-Q6 K-R2 9 0-0
strong centre and threatening P-Kj. Black's 29 Q-Q7 R-KI!
,0 P-R4 Q-Kt3 ch The alternative was 9 P-KR" in order to
knights are quite helpless to prevent the in-
II K-B, R-K8! preserve his bishop. White however allows
vasion down the Q file.
Resigns his opponent the advantage of the two
12 PxKP bishops because of the resulting pawn weak-
If ,2 QxQP; 33 ... , Q-Ktj mate, while ness which he can use as a target.
I~ BxP KtxB
other White moves are decisively met by
14 QxKt P-B,
33 Q-Q6 ch. 9 Kt-KR4
10 B-Kj P-B~
The only move to infuse any life into Black's
" B-Kt, KtxB
position, and one that is forced in order to GAME 9 12 RPxKt
meet the twin threats of Kt-Ktj and B-B4.
It is somewhat surprising to see Bron- The positions are now approximately equal.
Ij R-QI KR-QI
16 B-K3 P-K4 B-R6! stein following a faulty plan after his young
12 B-K~
cpponent has indulged in an indifferent
13 Q-Kt3!
Virtually forced like the preceding P-B,. Black rises like the phoenix from the ashes! opening, and with the white pieces at that.
Hence Taimanov's lack of suspicion about Taimanov is now made to pay a heavy This is just the sort of thing that has led initiating an interesting and original plan:
Tal's intentions. price for his lack of suspicion. And where tc talk of hypnotic influences; certainlv the position is to be opened up in spite

3°
of the opponent's two bishops. Natural and
normal was either I~ R-BI. or I~ Kt-QR4.

[~

14 Q-Kq
[j KR-Q[

As it turns out, Ij ... , R-Kt[!; at once

would have been stronger.

19 QxPl

Acceptance of the offer demands careful

calculation, since capture of the queen
figures among Bronstein's plans.

19 ... B-Kr
2.0 BxKt R-B2.

R-RI would now have won the queen, but

at too great a cost after 2.1 Q-Bj, R-BI;
!2. BxQP (Q-R7, R-RI; with repetition
of moves would have been welcome to
Black). RxQ; 2.~ BxP cb, K-RI; 2.4 QPxR.
The advantage in space is increased for
2.1 Q-R~ KtPxB
Iii ... , PxP; 17 KtxP, would give White
pressure on QBj and Q6, while an exchange Not QPxB; 2.2. P-Qj!
of pawns on Black's Q4 would saddle Black
with a weak QP. 2.2. PxP PxP
2.~ Q-Kt2 P-Kt4?
16 '" R-KtI Another sign of impatience. The ruin of
his king's position helps him not at all and
Impatiently played. There were better pros-
he should rather have aimed for a solid
pects of defence by P-QR~ with R-KI and
defensive position with 2.~ ... , R(B2)-Kt2;
B-BI to follow.
24 P-R~, Q-Q3.

24 Q-Q2.

P-QR3 was still necessary, though then af- Gladly exchanging his QKtP for Black's
ter 18 P-Kt4, Kt-B~ (Kt-Bj; 19 BxKt): QP.
[9 PxP, PxP; 2.0 P-Ktj, White has a pull.
24 RxP
Bronstein intends to create complications 2j KtxQP R-KtI
with his pawn sacrifice, but it is Tal who 26 Kt-K3
owns the more accurate compass.
Moreover the knight has an eye to the
18 P-QKt4 occupation of KBj.
 26 R-QBI 39 Kt(Q4)-B2 Q-Ktz
27 QR-BI R(B2)-B2 40 Kt-Q4 Q- Kt7
28 R-B~ B-Kt3 41 Kt-K6!
29 R(QI)-QBI 13-132
30 P-Q5! A veritable cavalry charge, which will lead
to mate or the gain of a piece. Black's
Threatening to supplement action in the next counter-move IS already too late.
centre with an attack on the king, but
Black is alive to this possibility. 41 QxP
42 Kt-KB5 P-R5
43 KtxB PxP ch
44 K-R3 Q-Kt8
45 KxP KxKt
Halting the attack at the cost of a some-
46 Q-K7 ch Resigll5
what disadvantageous end-game.
Por after K-KtI; 47 Kt-R6 ch, wins a
~z RxP! BxP? piece.
Anticipating that with the exchange of all
the rooks his two bishops would compen- GAME 10
sate for White's extra pawn, but the idea
proves to be a decisive mistake and better The psychological-combinative style of
drawing chances were offered by 32 .... play also occurs in this game against Ban-
BxKt; 33 RxR; RxR; 34 QxB, RxR ch. nik. Tal accumulates threat after threat
35 QxR, QxP. until Bannik is almost paralysed by the
storms which hover over his king. As if
B RxR RxR spellbound he can only watch helplessly
34 RxR QxR when 27 ... , KtxP ch; threatens the end.
35 Q-Q4 Q-B8 ch
~6 K-R2 Q- Kt7 KING'S INDIAN DEFENCE
37 Q-K4! BANNIK TAL
P-Q4 Kt-KB3
The K side attack is seen to be still on
z Kt-KB3 P-KKt3
after all.
3 P-KKq B-Ktz
4 B-Ktz 0-0
5 0-0 P-Q3
6 P-B4 Kt-B3

QKt-Q2 is the more usual continuation.

7 Kt-B~

Better than 7 P-Q5, after which Black

could operate on the Q side by Kt-QR4,
followed by Kt-Q2, P-QB4 and P-QKt'l'

7 ...

I3-Kt5 followed by Kt-Q2 comes into con-

13-131 sideration here. Tal combines two lines in
P-R.4 his preparation for P-QKt4.
 8 B-Ktj R-Ktl 18 Kt-B, White is in equal difficulty after 26 R-Q,. 42 K-Ktl R-K8 eh
9 R-BI B-Ktl 19 KtxKt ch PxP ch; 27 KxP (QxP, KtxP ch;), Q-B4. 43 K-Kt2 R-K7 eh
44 K-KtI R-QKt4
ly B-Ktj, looks attractive but after 19 ... , 26 QxP ch
Not P-QKt4, which would allow White a 41 K-BI R-Q7
passed QRP after 10 PxP, PxP; II KtxP, QR-QI, 20 Q-K" P-R3; 21 KtxKt ch 27 Q-B2
Resigns
RxKt; 12 RxKt, RxP; I, R-B2. (not BxP?, Kt-Ktj!; and Black wins a
Hastening the end. K-R2 allowed more re-
piece), BxKt; 22 BxB, QxB; Black has
sistance. What White did not reckon with
10 Q-Q2? a favourable end-game. GAME 11
was the ensuing knight sacrifice and the
19 BxKt temporary queen sacrifice on move 29.
The cause of all his future troubles. He Klaman also fell victim to a sudden at-
cannot prevent Black's P-K4, so he would 20 P-KR4
tack, as Gurgenidze did three rounds later,
have done better by Kt-KI in conjunction zo BxKt, PxB; 21 R-B2, would have done only less spectacularly. Tal's victories
with P-B, and P-K4. There is nothing to a little to ease his game. against his young rivals in this tournament
be gained by 10 BxKt, BxB; II Kt-Q\, seemed easily obtained and in this game
B-Kt 2; because Black can then play P-K, 20 QR-QI there is a sense of natural inevitability in the
before P-K4. 21 Q-KI P-KR4 quick and straightforward development of
22 B-Q2 the attack, even down to the brilliant
10 BxKt!
Better and more natural was B-R" hinder- roo k sacrifice at the end.
Pinpointing the weakness of White's QP. ing Kt-B4 and P-K5.

II BxB Kt-Q2 SICILIAN DEFENCE

12 Kt-Qj
TAL KLAMAN
Temporarily holding his QP by a counter- P-K4 P-Q B4
27 '" KtxP chi
attack on Black's KP. 2 Kt-KB3 Kt-Q B3
A fine combination, after which White's 3 P-Q4 PxP
12 R-KJ!
I, B-K,
position collapses. 4 KtxP
5 Kt-QB,
Kt- B3
P-Q3
28 RxKt QxR ch 6 B-KKtl B-Ql
The retreat has to begin since I, P-K,?,
29 R-KI BxBI
loses to P-R,.
The point of the previous sacrifice. White An inaccuracy already, though without
IS now lost.
serious consequences yet. This experiment,
White's loth move comes home to roost. instead of the usual P-K" is not a happy
22 P-K5! ,0 RxQ B-Q5 one.
His Q4 is irretrievably lost.
31 R-B2 BxQ ch
14 PxP PxP White's pieces have all been driven back ,2 KxB K-Kt2 7 Q-Q2
Ij KR-QI? to the first two ranks. The positional 33 P-QKt4 R-Q5 A surprising choice in preference to the
struggle now becomes livelier. 34 P-R4 R(Kn)-QI
!i.e could hold his Q4 for a little by
2, B-Rj R-Ktl
,I K-K2 R-Q6
normal BxKt. Although White loses "
tempo with his queen, it suits him to have
15 B-Kt\, P-B,; 16 B-K" but Black will 36 P-Kt5 the piece on Q4.
win it in the end hy Kt-BI-K3-Qj. 24 B-QB3 KR-QI
2\ R-Q2 Hoping against hope. KtxKt
7
1\ Kt-Qj 8 QxKt Q-R4?
B-Ku The answer to this is inevitable. Better ,6 RPxP
16 P-QB,
Kt-B, Q-K2 was 2\ P-K" though after 2\ ... , Kt-B6 17 RPxP PxP
J7 P-K, was still necessary and would have
clI; 26 BxKt, PxB; Black has the advan- ,8 PxP R-Kt6
18 Kt-K4 given Black a satisfactory game.
tage. ,9 BxP RxQKtP
There is so little harmony in White's game 25 P-K6! 40 R-B7 R-KI ch 9 BxKt KtPxB
that any better plan is hard to find. 26 PxP 41 K-Bz R-B4 ch 10 0-0-0 R-BI?

35
A further unsound move. 0-0-0 would 19 B-K2
24 KxR The King's Indian Defence with its com-
have been better, so as to get the king 20 QxP R-BI
25 R-KI ch K-QI plex variations is ideal for those who revel
into safety by K-Ktl and R-Br. 2I B-Kt4
26 Q-R4 ch P-B3 in difficult problems. In the hands of the
II P-B4 R-KKtf Another fine move with the double aim 27 Q-R6 Q- R4 Soviet masters the defence has been trans-
12 P-KKt3 P-K3 of clearing the way for the KRP and of formed into a brilliant weapon and this
Black has to let his rook go, otherwise j P-B3; variation is one of White's best
13 B-R3 kceping the black king in the centre by
there is mate on KB3 or KRI. means of blunting it.
the threat of B-Rj. One analysis points
Intending to build up a strong attack on out the following dashing variation,
j P-K4
the black king. 2J ... , K-QI; 22 B-Rj, B-KI; 23 RxP!,
More accurate than QxR ch, which would 6 KKt-K2 QKt-Q2
PxR; 24 KtxP ch, K-Q2; 2j KtxR ch,
13 K-QI; 26 RxP chI, BxR; 27 Kt-K6 Mate. allow Black a chance by K-B2 and P-Kt6.
White's plan is to castle on the Queen's
Observing the threat of KR-KI followed With such variations in the air, it is easy side and attack by P-KKt4 and P-KR4,
28 Q-Q4
to see why Tal's opponents sometimes while Black aims to play P-QB4 at a
by Kt-Qj, when the white queen would 29 QxR ch K-B2
be splendidly placed on Q4. make incomprehensible errors. suitable moment. Stronger than the text,
Black has escaped from mate, but that is however, is the more usual line 6 ... ,
14 Q-Q2 P--Kt4 21 Q-B2 his only consolation. Kt-B3; 7 B-K3 (B-Kt5. 0-0; 8 Q-Q2,
Ij KR-KI P-Kts 22 K-Rr!
P-KR3!;), 0-0; 8 P-Q5, Kt-K2; 9 Q-Qz.
16 Kt-K2 30 QxP R-KI
The wise old man keeps out of danger. P-B4; 10 PxP e. p., PxP; II o-c-o, P -Q4!
31R-QBI B-R5
White is prudent. Kt-Qj would not now 22 32 Q-Q4 Q-Kt2 7 B-Ktj
be good. 33 R-QI R-K3 8 Q-Q2
Surrounded by troubles, Black loses patience 34 Q-B4 ch Resigns 9 P-Q5
16 Q-Bj and allows a most refreshing combination.
17 K-Ktl QxP?
After 22 ... , P-R4; there is no forced Certain analysts have condemned this move
This rash capture costs him dear. He
win for White. GAME 12 as a grave strategical error. However, It
is part of Black's plan to counter White's
should finish his devel opment by 17 ..• , 23 BxP! It is no small honour to win the title K-side attack with an attack on the other
B-K2.
of Chess Champion of the U. S. S. R., so wing.
18 Kt-Q4 Q-Ku young Tal's feelings can well be imagined
19 Q-Q3! when with one round to go he found him- IO P-KKt4 P-Q R3
self standing equal first with Tolush and II Kt-Kt3 R-KI
Bronstein and only half a point ahead of 12 P-KR4 Q- R4
Keres. He had to play for a win at any
Here Kt-BI followed by B-Ql was to be
price in a situation where even the great·
preferred. The text-move is a kind of psy-
est of masters could be excused for fail-
chological sortie, bu.t White is not a timor-
ing, even if more favoured by the draw
ous player. It is no exaggeration to re-
than Tal who had to meet Tolush. They
gard such queen moves as a spectacular
were worthy opponents for the climax of
loss of tempo.
the tournament.
13 B-R6 Kt-BI
KING'S INDIAN DEFENCE 14 P-Rj! Q-B2
23 PxB
TAL TOLUSH His king's posttron will need defence af-
24 RxB chI
P-QB4 Kl- KB3 ter the anticipated PxP, while his QP is
This fine and simple move regains the 2 Kt-QB3 P-KKt3
pawn by the threat of Kt-Bs. The beauti- There is nothing to be done against such not exactly healthy either. The loss of
3 P-K4 P-Q3 tempo must now be admitted.
ful harmony of White's play is note- a move, but the swell of the combina-
4 P-Q4 B-Kt2
worthy. tion is delightful. j P-B3 Ij B-Q3 P-QKt4

37
Neither strategically nor tactically is there PxB; 22 QxP, the weakened king's position 32 BPxB
a better line than this counter-attack, is indefensible.
He has no choice. 32 ... , RxKt; 33 BxR,
which must no longer be delayed. That
21 KtxB KxKt PxB; fails to stop the attack and loses the
it fails is a tribute to Tal's cool and su-
22 B-R6 ch K-Ktl exchange into the bargain.
perlative handling of the attack.
2, P-B4~
H R-Bl! RxKt
16 0-0-0
The start of the final assault, threatening ,'\gainst 34 Kt-B6 ch!
A correct decision. After 16 BPxP, RPxP; P-Bj. After Black's forced reply the way
17 KtxP, Q-Kt3; Black would manage to if, open for the invaslion by the QKt and 34 BxR
stop White's attack with B-R~. the KB.
Winning the exchange after all. The first
16 PxBP prize is in sight.
23 PxBP
17 B-KtI! ~o P-Kj!
24 QxP Q-QI!
34 R-Kt2
Recognizing that the pawn will obstruct This central break-through, combined in .'j R-B6 BxP
Readily offering the QP in the hope that
Black. Its capture could only have helped masterly fashion with the attack on the 36 R(Rl)-BI Kt-Q2
after 2j QxP, R-Kt3; he will continue
Black, who would then play B-Q2-Kq. king's side, proves decisive. Naturally the 37 RxP Q-K2
Kt-K4 with a stubborn resistance in view.
bishop cannot be captured, though it is by ,8 RxP K-Rl
B-RI But White is not concerned with such
17 no means obvious that after ~O ... , PxB; 39 BxP!
18 QR-Ku R-Ktl trifles as the win of a mere pawn.
~l BxKt, PxB; 32 Q-R8 ch, K-B2; the
19 Kt-Bj! quickest win is by 3~ R-R7 chi Finishing a great fight with a little fire-
2j PxP KtxP work display.
2.6 Q-R2! 30 RxKP
,I BxKt! R-Ktz 39 Kt-Ktl
Here 26 QxP, would be even more favour-
40 B-Bj dis. 00 K-Ktl
able to Black, who could then play Prolonging the fight without in any way 41 B-K6 ch BxB
Kt(Kt3)-K4 followed by R-Kt3. helping to save the game. Neither bishop 42 RxB Resigns
can be taken because the white queen
26 Kt(Q2)-K4
comes in at R8.
27 B-B4 GAME 13
The only flaw in the game, but one which,
This next game is a pOSItive symphony
owing to Black's faulty answer, has no se-
of the chessboard, with instrumentation by
rious consequences. White should not have
Tal. As so often, the introduction is quiet,
offered to exchange the bishop as Black
almost peaceful, but the later crescendo
could well· have taken it. After 27 ... ,
A. positional sacrifice, made at the critical comes as no surprise to anyone who knows
KtxB!; 28 QxPch, K-BI; 29 Q-R6 ch, K-
moment before Black's attack gains mo- the fiery quality of Tal's artistry.
K2; 30 QxKt, K-Q2!; the black king es-
mentum, which can hardly be accepted. It capes, while White is unable to increase the
is not so much the beauty of the sacrifice force of his attack. BENONI DEFENCE
itself which is impressive as its timing.
Tal's handling of the attack is economical 27 Kt-BI GURGENIDZE TAL
and accurate. P-Q4 Kt-KB,
Now the attack rolls on without check. P-Q B4 P- B4
19
28 Q-R6 Kt(K4)-Kt, Thus all the white pieces join in the attack. This opening, about which so much has
20 B-Ktl
It is characteristic of Tal that he organizes been written, and which lends itself to
If 28 ... , Q-Kt3; White can even play
The exchange of the King's Indian bishop his actions with great energy and his pieces transmutation like gold in the hand of the
29 R-Kt2.
can no longer be avoided, for after 20 , are directed straight at the most vulnerable goldsmith, comes more and more to suit
P-B~; 21 PxP, PxP; 22 Q-R2!, or 21 . 29 B-Ktj P-·B3 spots. Tal's special style.

39
 ; P-Q5 P-K; to erupt so soon when there has not been QxRP! GAME 14
4 Kt-QB; PxP a single underground rumble to date? Of
j PxP P-Q; course if White had foreseen Black's 17th A well-known motif, but it is one of the An important game. since Keres, one of
6 Kt-B; 1lI0ve, or even if he had so much as imag- traits of the true artist that simple things the greatest of grandmasters. is not only a
ined the possibility, he would have pla- are made to shine in the most splendid fellow Lithuanian but in his youth played
A quiet line. Taimanov-Gligoric, 19j7, yed 14 BxKt, BxB; Ij Kt-B4, with a good light. in the same combinative style as Tal and
continued 6 P-K4, P-KKt;; 7 P-B4. B- positional struggle in prospect. But the con- has been a great inspiration to the younger
Kt2; 8 B-Ktj ch, KKt-Q2; 9 B-Q3. 0-0; juror does not reveal the mechanics of his 18 B-B; man. It is recognized as most difficult to
IO Kt-B;, with more of an attack. magic, though it is all too simple once it 19 Kt-K; beat such an opponent since one is de-
6 P-KKt3 IS made manifest. There is no longer any satisfactory de- feating one's own ideal. This victory and
7 P-K4 fence. Even worse would have been 19 the method of winning it gave Tal the
Kt-B2, B-R; ch; 20 B-K2 (Kt-B4. KtxP; much-needed confidence required at a stage
A normal line but more provocative than
21 PxKt, RxR ch; zz KxR, Q-Kt8 ch), when he was within reach of the first
the positional 7 P-KKt3, B-Kt2; 8 B-Ktz,
Q-Rj; 21 Kt-R3. B-BI!; zz Kt-B3, QxKt!; prize. The complications of the middle
0-0; 9 0-0, P-QR;; 10 P-QR4, QKt-Q2;
2; KtxB. Q-R8 ch; Z4 K-B2, Q-Rj ch; game, as finely interwoven as the pattern
II Kt-Q2.
winning easily. of a Persian carpet, make an indelible
7 B-Ku impression. and the short ending is an ele-
19 gant pendant.
Black could now have continued B-Ktj
in order to exchange the knight, but Tal Opening up the position and bringing in
is always reluctant to simplify too early. the reserves. TARRASCH DEFENCE
It is a characteristic of his style that he
20 Kt(Q2)-B4 PxP KERES TAL
often has no objection to allowing an oppo-
nent to develop his plans, as though the ZI BxP B-R3 P-Q4 Kt-KB;
bigger the struggle the greater the possi- 2 P-QB4 P-K;
14 KtxBPI White's pieces are all so thoroughly pinned
bility of finding some unexpected and ; Kt-KB; P-B4
Ij KxKt Q-Rj ch that RxB is a threat.
splendidly combinative counter. 4 P-K;
16 K-BI
8 B-K2 0-0 zz B-B; R-K4 These quiet moves may conceal any num-
He is already in some danger. 16 P-Kt3,
9 0-0 R-KI 23 R-R; QR-KI ber of ideas and hidden tensions. Keres
B-Qj ch; leads to mate.
10 Kt-Q2 Kt-R; 24 B-Q2 is as at home as Tal in the atmosphere of
II R-KI 16 B-Q5 complications and concealed traps, but
I7 Kt-QI 24 R-Q3. would have allowed the follow- years have taught him the art of playing
Preparing a further advance of the KP, ing splendid conclusion: 24.... KtxP; canny and he hopes his young opponent
which never materializes. Suffocation is already setting in, and the 25 RxB. PxR; 26 BxKt ch, RxB; 27 KtxR, will lack the patience for this difficult type
II Kt-B2 eruption is yet to come I Q-R8 ch; 28 K-B2, QxR ch; 29 K-B;, of game.
IZ P-QR4 P-Kt;! R-BI ch; 30 B-B4, Q-B8 ch; 31 K-Kt3'
BxKt. 4 P-Q4
Played with commendable restraint.
12 ... , P-QR;; would be met by I; KtxP Tal counters with true gamesmanship. The
24
Q-Kt;, R-Ktl; 14 P-Rj, whereupon Tarrasch (including this so-called semi-
P-QKt4; fails after Ij PxP e. p., Kt-RI; Tarrasch) version has long been one of
16 BxP, RxKtP; I7 B-Ktj, B-Q2; 18 Q- B 4,
III Morphy's games the similar triumph of Keres' favourite defences, and to find it
the active piece over his passIve opposite turned against him is probably an unpleas-
and Black has lost a pawn.
number has equ.:lly excited admiration. ant surprise.
I; Q-B2 Kt-Kt\
2j BxKt ch RxB PxQP
14 P-R;?
26 K-K2 KBxKt
A mistake which any player might have 27 RxB BxKt ch Forestalling White's intention of QPxP
made, for who could expect the volcano Resigns followed by P-QKt4.

41
 6 KPxP 23 B-B, 34 RxR
24 P-B3 QxB 15 BxR K-R4
A move of the QKt would commit him ,6 B-R, KxP
2j QxQ
too much. He prefers to sit on the fence. n B-B8 K-Kt6
Probably 2j PxKt, QxP; 26 P-R6, PxP; ,8 BxP P-R4
7 Kt-B, 0-0
7./ ExP, was better. ,9 B-R6
8 B-B4
2j RxQ
Also sitting on the fence until he can see
26 PxKt RxP
how best to develop the other bishop.
27 BxP RxRP
This development on B4 is reminiscent of
Morphy, whose spirit indeed seems to Black has obtained a winnmg positIOn,
haunt the whole game. but the technique is difficult owing to the
bishops of opposite colours.
8 Kt-B, I3-QB4, QxKt; 19 RxQ, KtxP; 20 Q-Q3,
9 R-BI Kt-Kj! 28 B-Q4 R-R7
KtxR ch; 21 QxKt, B-QB3; 22 QxP, he
29 R-KtI R-Q7
Hindering White's P-Bj and opening up would in each case only have added grist
30 B-B3 R-QB7
the possibility of attack by P-B4 and to White's mill. Even 16 ... , P-QKt4; 17
31 B-Q4 K-B2
P-KKt4. A clash in the centre is now in- R-B3, KtxP; 18 Kt~Kt, QxKt; 19 B-K3,
32 P-R4
evitable. would only have given White a good ini-
tiative. P-R3 was comparatively better, but Black
IO B-Q3 KtxKt would still win by 32 ... , P-Bj; 33 39 BxP
II RxKt PxP R-Ktz, R-B8 ch; 34 K-B2, K-Kt3; with
12 RxP 3\ ... , K-B4; to follow. The text-move Though Black wins in any Case, this eftec-
A king's side attack by P-KKt4 would makes the weaknesses in White's game tive move, as excellent as it is simple, de-
After BxP, 12 ... , B-B,; would be un- still be premature because of 18 R-Bj, even more apparent. serves a diagram to illustrate one more
pleasant. Q-Q3 (BxR would involve too great a facet of the virtuoso's play.
risk); 19 P-Qj, Kt-K4; 20 KtxKt, QxKt; 32
12 Q-R4 ch 33 R-Kt4
21 PxP, and the complications are in 40 PxB KxP
13 B-Q2 34 R-Kt2
White's favour. 41 K-BI P-Kt4
Exchange of queens would only give There is no defence against the penetra- 42 B-Q2 P-Rj
equality. 18 RxR RxR tion by the black king, but White grasps 43 B-Kt4 P-R6
19 Q-K2 B-Q3 the illusory hope that exchange of rooks 44 K-KtI K-Kt6
13 Q-Q4 20 Kt-Kj will increase his drawing chances. Resigns
14 Q-B2
White finds himself in some positional dif-
It was later decided that 14 Q-K2, was ficulty. For instance, if 20 R-QBI, RxR ch;
correct, since here the queen interferes
21 BxR, Kt-Kt6; 22 B-K3, P-QKt4; and
with the free action of the rooks.
White's game is far from easy.
14 P-B4
20 B-Rj
Ij 0-0 B-Q2
16 R-QI 21 R-KI BxKt
QR-BI
22 PxB R-QI
An important decision. The harmonious co- 23 P-QKq
operation of pieces over the whole are"
is a characteristic feature of Tal's pia). B-KtI would be answered by B-Q8, while
If he had tried 16 ... , B-KI; 17 R-B3, after 23 B-B2, BxB; 24 QxB, Kt-B3; White
B-R4; 18 B-QB4, Q-Kj; 19 Q-Kt3, or is equally at fault. Possibly he overlooked
again 16 ... , R-B3; 17 R-B3, R-Kt3; 18 Black's reply to the text.

42 43
 THE XXVTH CHAMPIONSHIP OF THE U. S. S. R. NIMZO-INDIAN DEFENCE 16 QxR P-QKt~
17 B-Q4
TAL TOLUSH
I P-Q4 Kt-KB3 The bishop is unusually strong here.
2 P-QB4 P-K~
Every third year, when the International Chess Federation (F. 1. D. E.) 3 Kt-QB3 B-Ktj 17 ... B-Kt2
holds its Zonal tournaments in preparation for the next World Championship, 4 P-K~ F-B4
it treats the Soviet Union as one of the zones. Thus every third U. S. S. R. j Kt-B~ F-Q4 B-B4 would have allowed for the defence
Championship is at the same time a Zonal tournament and it is a special 6 B-Q~ 0-0 of the KBP.
mark of honour that the first four qualify for the Interzonals. That the XXVth 7 0-0 QKt-Q2
Championship was also a Zonal tournament partly accounts for its having an 18 R-QI Q-KI
exceptionally strong entry, including no less than eleven international grand- This move causes difficul~;es for Black.
masters. A whole group of competitors were neck and neck throughout and It should be preceded by 7 ... , PxBP.
only the final round clarified the position; Mikhail Tal was champion once
PxQP
again!
The field for the XXVth U. S. S. R. Championship was as strong as that After 8 ... , PxBP; 9 PxB, PxQP; 10
for a Candidates' Tournament. In spite of the absence of Botvinnik and BxP ch, KxB; II QxP, White has the best of
Smyslov, who were engaged in their World Championship match, and of it (Koblentz-Barshankas, TalIin, 19j8).
Keres, the competitors still included such names as Bronstein, Spassky, Petro- Even after 8 ... , BxKt; 9 PxB, PxBP;
sian, Taimanov, Averbach, Boleslavsky, Geller, Korchnoi, Kotov and Tolush. 10 BxP, Q-B2; II Q-B2, P-K4; 12 P-K4,
This meant that including Tal there were eleven grandmasters playing and P-QKt3; 13 B-KKtj, B-Kt2; 14 P-Qj,
in such a field it would have been exceptional for the defending champion White has more of the play.
to retain his title. Tal was the exceptional exception.
After the tournament Bronstein wrote this about Tal's achievement: "Mikhail 9 QKtxPI PxKt
Tal's achievement in repeating his victory of the previous year is all the 10 PxB PxBP
1') B-KI
greater for his having only competed three time in all. His faculty for quick II BxP Kt-Kt3
and deep calculation, his ability to guide the pLay into lines to his own taste 12 B-Kt3 PxP Black probably failed to appreciate the
and to raise complications in what are apparently the quietest of positions 13 BxP Kt(Kt3)-Q4 force of this reply which still further
fis only matched by his ability to discern and defeat his opponent's combi- h~mstrings his forces.
Up to this point the game has followed a
native plans. He is remarkably successful and had a greater number of wins known path, but this move of Black's, in- 19 Q-Kq
than any other competitor; some were aided by luck, but fortune favours the
tending to strengthen his centre by P-QKt3
brave. Tal is seldom short of time, so naturally he is regarded unofficially and B-Kt2, is new. A game Furman- He could not take the QKtP at once be-
as the champion of lightning chess in the Soviet Union. He took part bars Gipslis at Riga, 195j, continued 13 ... , cause of 19 ... , KtxP; 20 QxKt, BxKt;
cancottrs in the Moscow Lightning Chess Championship and won first place Kt(B3)-Q4; 14 B-Bj, R-KI; 15 R-KI, 21 R-KI, B-Kt2; 22 BxKt, Q-B3; 23
ahead of Spassky and Petrosian. His only defect is that he seeks a violent B-K3; 16 Kt-Q4, with a clear positional plus BxP chi, K-RI; 24 BxP chi, KxB; 2j
solution even when a patient positional accumulation of advantages would for White. At Hastings, 1955-56, Darga B-Q5!!, QxB; 26 R-K7 ch, with an over-
be preferable. When he comes to play in international tournaments for the played 13 ... , B-K3; against Korchnoi so as whelming. attack. Nor does 19 ... , R-QI;
World Champion~hip he may at last rid himself of this fault and so become to lead into an end-game, but after 14 help because of 20 Q-Q2, R-Q2; 21 B-R4.
one of the most formidable of all contestants." BxB, PxB; 15 QxQ, KRxQ; 16 RxPI, RxR;
Time very soon justified Bronstein's forecast. Ii BxKt, R(QI)-RI; 18 BxR, RxB; White
20 QBxKt PxB?
had an advantage, even though there were A more natural and better continuation
technical difficulties in exploiting it. Since would have been KtxB; 21 Q-K7. B-Q4;
GAME 15 to a number of exchanges in the process.
the text-move also turns in White's favour,
Significantly these exchanges do nothing 22 BxB, KtxB; 23 Q-Kt7 (if Q-K4.
the whole defensive system based on 7 ... , R-QBrl). R-QI; 24 P-R4, though White
Tal's first-round win against Tolush re- to lessen the tension; with his 19th move
QKt-Q2; must be highly suspect. Hill has an advantage owing to the pin
veals the many-sidedness of his play. He he asserts the superior co-ordination of hi>
exploits a small opening inaccuracy by forces and by the 25th is in a position to on the black knight.
14 B-Bj R-KI
Tolush in classic style and is not averse force a problem-like finish. 15 R-KI RxR ch 21 Q-K4 QxP

44 45
 R-KI fails against 22 RxKt. BENONI DEFENCE P-QR3, PxP; 16 PxKt, PxKt; 17 KBxP.
PxP; 18 Kt-K4, White has the better game.
22 Kt-Q4 1'-B4
23 Q-K 5! Kt-K2 AVERBACH TAL I~ KtxKt B-B4
24 Q-B6 B-Q4 14 Kt(B3)-Q2 KtxQP
I P-Q4 Kt-KB~
Ij BxP?
A move which is disproved by a problem- P-Q B4 P-K~
like, if not very complicated, combination. 3 Kt-QB~ P-B4 The losing move. B-Kq was necessary,
The position was in any event untenable, 4 P-Qj P"P when the best play on both sides gives
for if 24 ... , R-KBI; then 2j P-R~, B- j PxP P-Q3 equal chances as follows ~ Ij ... , Q-K2;
Q4; 26 R-Q3' BxB; 27 R-Kt3 chi, Kt-Kt3: 16 B-Ktj, BxKt; 17 KtxB, QxKt; 18 BxR,
28 KtxP. In this opening the standard themes ar, QxB; 19 BxP, Q-B3; 20 B-Kt3, P-Bj;
a central attack by White and a queen': with a pawn for the exchange.
side attack by Black, supported by th(
19 Q-B2 R-K2
bishop on KKt2. Tal extends Black's scop~
20 13-13, QR-KI
by an early and successful attack agains'
21 QR-QI 13-Qj
White's centre.
22 P-QR4 P-Kt3
23 P-QKtl R-K4
6 P-K4 P-KKt3 24 R-Q2
7 B-K2 B-Kt2
8 Kt-B, 0-0
Aiming to ease his positIOn by an ex-
9 0-0 R-KI!
change of rooks which Black cannot avoid,
for now 24 ... , Q-K3; is answered by 2\
Working up an attack out of limited re- Q-134, and 24 ... , Q-K2; by 25 13-B6.
sources, though the subsequent develop-
ments on White's K4 could hardly have 24 P-KR4
25 Kt-B6! QxB been foreseen at this stage. In a game 2\ R-K2 RxR
If BxKt; then simply 26 QxP ch, K-RI; Smyslov-Filip, Vienna, 19j7, Black played 26 BxR
2:' Q-B6 mate. 9 ... , B-Ktj; 10 P-KR3, BxKt; II BxB. Recovering his piece with the better game.
P-Q R 3?; with advantage to White, though Thus the complications have served thei r
26 KtxKt ch K-BI II . . . , QKt-Q2; was preferable. turn once more.
27 R-KI B-K~
28 KtxP Resigns 10 Q-B2
II B-KB4?
Even worse was 16 BxP, KtxKt; 17 KtxKt,
GAME 16 Knowing what follows, it can be seen that BxKt; 18 Q-QI, Q-Kt4.
P-QR3 was to be preferred, but Averbach
This next game occurred in the fourth 16 KtxKt
had no idea that he was in danger of hav-
round and was another typical Tal effort. I7 KtxKt BxKt
ing a piece sacrificed against him.
Where Capablanca made his combinations 18 Bx13 Qx13
altistically and Alekhine dynamically, Tal II Kt-QKtj
can be said to make them viciously. White 12 Q-Ktl KtxKPI White is quite lost, being a pawn down
here has no inkling of danger when a and unable to prevent the powerful estab-
knight sacrifice hits him as early as the This move deserves an exclamation mark, lishment of the black bishop on his Q4. P-Rj!
12th move. This first attack is followed by for the sacrifice yields a draw at least be· The fact that there are bishops of opposite
a second, even more energetic, wave and sides creating the complications in which colours does, however, create technical Injecting this stage of the game with
the final mating threat is conjured up with Tal revels. The move may well be intrin- difficulties, and for that reason Tal avoids venom also.
even less material than in the previous sically the best, for after 12 ... , Kt- R4; simplification and prepares a direct king"
game. 13 B-KKtj, P-B3; 14 B-K~, P-B4; 15 side attack. 27 K-RI Q-Bj!

47
Staggering as it may seem, White must
now guard against the threat of B-K4. He
cannot play 28 B-B4, because of 28 ....
B-K4; 29 QxP ch, K-BI; and he cannot
save both his king and his queen.

28 P-Kt3 Q-B;
29 Q-QI R-QI

The rook is going to have greater value 00

the Q file.•

BxP!
,5 R-Q81
Resigns.

For after 36 Q-Ktj, RxR ch; ;7 BxR, Q-Kj

ch; 38 B-Kt2, QxKRP; and wins.

GAME 17
It can be as exhilarating to meet Tal the
pcsitional player as to meet Tal the tac-
tician. In the following game his opponent
chooses an unusual 4th move which cre-
ates a queen's side pawn weakness; this
seems of little consequence and could pro-
bably have been borne. Tal, however,
gives an exemplary demonstration of a re-
grouping of forces to emphasise the weak-
A most elegant conclusion to Tal's com-
ness after White's 20th move and in the end
bination. Naturally if ;2 QxR, Q-B; ch.
there is the usual little combination, this
One cannot but admire the conception and
time designed to win material.
construction of this situation.

32 Q-K8 ch K-Kt2
,3 PxP Q-Qj SICILIAN DEFENCE
34 B-R, Q-Q6
,5 B-Kt2 GURGENIDZE TAL
P-K4 P-QB4
White could have tried ;5 Q-Kj ch, K-R2; 2 Kt-KB; P-Q,
;6 Q-B4, in the hope of 36 ... , QxB?; 3 B-Kn ch B-Q2
37 QxP ch, K-R;; ;8 Q-B8 ch, K-R4; 39 4 P-Q R4
Q-R8 ch, K-Ktj; 40 Q-B8 ch, with per-
petual check. However, Tal would still The usual lines are 4 BxB ch, and 4 Q-K2.
have won by 36 ... , Q-Q4 ch; 37 B-Krz, The disadvantage of the text is that it does
QxB ch; 38 KxQ, B-K6 dis. ch; 39 K-RI, nothing to advance development and loos- Botvinnik and Talon the seage of the Pushkio Theatre, Moscow
BxQ; 40 RxB, K-Kt2. ens the pawn structure on the queen's
side. It would only serve a good purpose
if Black were to exchange bishops.

4 Kt-QB3
5 0-0 Kt-B,
6 R-KI P-KKt3
7 P-B3 B-.Kt2
8 P-Q4 PxP
9 KtxP
Since the basic idea of the varIations in
which White plays B-QKt5 is to establish
a strong centre, PxP would have been
more logical. 20 R-BI
9 0-0 At once turning his attention to White's
10 Kt-R3 R-BI QB3 and starting a regrouping of his
II B-Ktj P-QR3 pieces which only ends four moves latet.
12 KBxKt KKtPxB!
21 P-Ktj B-KI
Reinforcing the centre and opening the
22 QR-KI Q-Q3!
QKt file, which is temporarily better suit-
23 Q-QI R-Kt2!
ed than the QB file for a queen's side
24 Q-B3 R(Kt2)-B2
initiative.
25 Kt-Kt4
13 Kt-B4 P-Q4
14 BxKt in time trouble he overlooks Black's 26th
move. Necessary was 25 K-RI, so as to
Since Black's KB plays an important role counter Black's Q-side plessure with ac-
in the subsequent combination, it might tion on the K-side.
have been better to retain this bishop with
which to counter it. On the other hand 25 B-Kt2
there was then the possibility of the black 26 P-Bj?
knight becoming dangerous. Overlooking the following obvious combi·
14 BxB nation, which he could prevent by Kt-K5,
Ij PxP PxP though then Black could have continued
with 26 ... , P-K3; 27 Kt(Kj)-B6, BxKt;
The comequences of Black's having both 28 KtxKt, Q-R6; with good prospects.
the QKt and QB files open for attack will
soon become evident.
16 Kt-Kj Q-B2
I7 P-KB4 R-KtI!
18 Q-Q2 R-Kq
19 R-K3 P-Q R4
Since Black now has obvious targets of
attack, while White can find little to shoot
at. it is comprehensible that White decides
to play for a passed QKtP at the cost of
a weakness on his QB3.
20 P-QKt4

49
 26 RxP GAME 18 II PxP with 19 ... , KtxB; unless White prden
27 P-B6 RxR 12 KtxP Kt-I<.4 a grave weakness on KKt3 after 20 PxKt.
28 QxR BxBP Kotov is himself a fine attacking player B-BI P-QR3 It should be noted that White cannot con-
13
29 KtxB ch QxKt and will be remembered for the excellent B-Qz? tinue zo KtxQ, KtxQ; ZI KtxR, BxR; since
14
30 Kt-B3 P-K3 combinative ability displayed in the Can- Black comes out a piece ahead.
didates' tournament at Budapest in 1950, An unhappy novelty, as Black shows. Logi-
Tal, two pawns ahead with two passed cal was 14 P-QKt4, followed either by
centre pawns, has little anxiety about the especially in his win against Keres. In the
following game played in the tenth round 14 ... , Q-Kt3; 15 B-K3, or 14 ... , Q-B2
rest of the game.
he employs his favourite P-KKt3 variation (01' Q-QI); 15 P-B4, with sharp play for
31 'R-QBI Q-QI against Tal's King's Indian Defence. He both sides.
32 RxR QxR is a great specialist in this variation and 14 Q-Kt3
33 Q-Q2 Q-QI has enriched it with many new ideas for 15 B-K,
34 P- R4 P- B3 White. Here he experiments with a new
35 Kt-Q4 Q-Kt3 14th move, which allows Tal a dangerous
36 K-BI P-K4 and, as it turns out, a winning initiative
37 Kt-B3 P-Q5
38 Q-QB2 B-B2
39 P-RI K-Bl KING'S INDIAN DEFENCE
40 Q-B8 ch K-K2!
41 Kt-Q2 PXP KOTOV TAL 18 Kt-Kt5 !
42 Kt-I<.4 B-Q4 P-QB4 19 PxKt BxKt
Kt-KB3
43 Kt-Kt3 B-K, z Kt-KB, zo R-BI B-Kt2
P- KKt3
44 Q-KR8 Q-B4! 21 Kt-Kt3 QR-QI
3 P-Q4 B-Kt2
45 QxRP ch K-QI 4 P-KKt3 22 Kt-Q2 Q-B2
0-0
46 Q-R8 ch K-Q2! \ B-Kt2 P-Q3 23 R-KtI Kt-K4
47 Q-Kt7 ch 6 0-0 QKt-Q2 24 B-K2
7 Kt-B3 P-K4 15
After 47 QxBP, would come 47 ... , Q-B8
ch; and 48 ... , Q-K6 ch. 8 P-K4 P-B3 Immediately seiZing thoe chance of taking
9 P-KR3 Q-R4 the initiative, since White is in no position
47 K-BI
10 R-KI
48 Q-R8 ch K-Kt2 to exploit the weakness of his Q4. The
49 Q-Kq ch Q-B2! knight is forced to retreat to an unfavour-
Many moves have been tried in this po-
\0 QxQ ch able square with loss of tempo, since
sition. 10 B-K3, was used in the games
if it moves to QB2, 16 ... , QxKtP; is
Tantamount to resignation, but there was Dsieviolovsky-Geller, Salzbrunn, 19\7, and
possible (it has been taboo so far because
no defence. Guimard-Boleslavsky, Argentina-V. S. S. R.
of the answer Kt-R4 trapping the queen),
match, 19\4; 10 P-Q5, in the game
and if the knight goes to Kz, Black can
\0 KxQ Clarke-Szabo, Wageningen, 19\7; and 10
play 16 ... , Kt-B6 ch.
IIKtxP P- B4 Q-B2, in the game Gligoric-Szabo, Buda-
52Kt-Kt7 B-B5 ch pest, 19\7. The text-move was a suggestion 16 Kt-Kt3
\3 K-KI P-Bj of Geller's, who envisaged defending the 17 Kt-Q2 24 '" P-QKt4!?
14 Kt-K8 ch K-Q2 QBP by B-BI if necessary. Of all these 18 P-QKt4
51 P-Kt6 For the fir;t time in the game Tal makes
B-R 3 moves those by the queen and rook seem
16 Kt-B6 ch K-K3 the most promising. With his last move White made a VigOlOus a move to create complications.
\7 Kt-K4 K-Q4 attempt to recover the initiative and was RPxP
21 PxKtP
18 Kt-B6 ch K- B4 10 R-KI threatening 19 Kt-R4. His weakness on 26 BxKtP
II P-R3 the long diagonal, however, allows Tal
White here sealed 59 Kt-Q7 ch, but reo this energetic response. Now if 19 Kt-R4, White could have won a pawn by 26 PxP,
signed without resuming. Worth considering also was R-Ktl.
II Black secures a strong square on his QI PxP; 27 RxP, but Black's counter-chances

5°
 would make the outcome doubtful. Kotov P-Bj dis. ch SICILIAN DEFENCE 12 K-BI
37
plays more prudently and in doing so Q-K~ 13 P-KB4
38 QxQ ch
finds he has taken the greater risk. TAL TAIMANOV
39 KxQ P-Q4
P-K4 P-QB4 He is over-anxious to open the KB file.
40 R-Ku ch K-B2
26 BxP 2 Kt-KB3 P-K3 P-QR4 was a strong preliminary.
41 K-K2 P-B6
27 B-K2 Q-Q2
28 BxB 42 Kt-Kt3 PxP This move, in conjunction with P-QR3. 13 P-KR4
KtxB
43 R-QBI has been repeatedly played in recent tour- 14 Q-B3 Kt-QB3
29 K-Ktz P-R4
30 B-Ktj naments. It is a revival of the old Paulsen
He cannot prevent the break-through by
Or 43 PxP, R-KKtl! defence in an improved form. Soviet mas-
P-Bj, so he indirectly defends his KBl
ters have introduced several new ideas for
by exchanging the centralized knight.
PxP dbl. ch both sides into the variation and while
43
44 KxP R-Q6 ch its merits have not yet been strictly deter- Ij P-Bj KtxKt
4j K-B2 P-B7 mined, it is at least regarded as viable. 16 PxKt Q-B2
46 Kt-BI R-Q7 ch
47 K-B3
Black can now equalize easily. 3 P-Q4,
PxP; 4 KtxP, gives more chances and
after 4 ... , P-QR3; I P-QB4. with compli-
cated lines, or else this knight can at last
be developed satisfactorily on the Ith
move.
3° B-Qjl
3 P-Q R3
A typical Tal move. The sacrifice of the 4 P- KKt 3 P-QKt4
exchange is sound in that Black can draw j P-Q4 PxP
by perpetual check. Alternatively he has the 6 KtxQP B-Kt2
option of trying for more by 31 BxR, KtxP; The best way to equalize was 6 ... ,
32 Q- Kt3 (probably best), Q-R6 ch; H P-Ktj; and only then 7.... B-Ktz.
K- B3' RxB; 34 K-K2, P-Q4; and White's
king still cannot reach a safe haven. Which- 7 B-Ktz Kt-KB3 A very fine temporary pawn sacrifice! Cap-
ever way Black might have chosen to 8 0-0 B-Ktj ture by the queen is impossible since the
47 R-K8!
play it, White should now have accepted 48 RxR R-Q8 After this White develops a dangerous at- queen is tied to the second rank in order to
the sacrifice; by refusing it he loses. Resigns tack. Safer was 8 ... , P-Ktj; for although defend KB2 after PxKP, QPxP. So capture
White has an initiative after 9 Kt-Qj. by the pawn is forced and the next four
31 R-K2 P-B 3 moves reveal that the pawn is untenable
PxKt; 10 PxP. a forced continuation can-
32 B-B4 P-Kt4 and the QB file will be opened.
GAME 19 not be seen.
H P-B3 Kt-B7
34 RxKt BxR 9 P-Kj! BxB 17 PxP
H KxB PxB Tal's struggle against Taimanov was IO KxB RxKt 18 B-R3 ch K-Ktl
even greater than in the previous year. 19 B-Q6 Q-R2
And so it is Black who is the exchange A necessary exchange because of the threat
Taimanov did not handle the opening ac- 20 B-Bj! Q-B2
ahead, an advantage which he turns to ac- of Kt-K4. but his king's wing is decidedly
curately and Tal obtained excellent at- 21 QR-BI Q-B3
count by accurate play. weakened by it.
tacking chances by a fine temporary pawn
II PxB Kt-Q4
36 PxKBP sacrifice. However, failing to develop his Q-Kq 21 ... , P-B6; would allow 22 RxPI, KtxR;
Q-QR2! 12
37 Q-Kt3 eh chances with his customary energy, he al- 23 QxR ch, K-R2; 24 Q-B3. Kt-Q4; 2j
lowed Taimanov to exchange queens and Much better than Kt-Bj. Now Black can- PxP, with great advantage to White.
Aiming by an exchange of queens to ease only a serious error later gave him a not castle, while 12 ... , P-Kt3; would
the attacks on his insecure K. whole point. leave him very weak on the black squares. 22 K-Ktl
If 22 RxP?, then Kt-K6 ch wins. Nor 29 ... , Kt-B2; was better because after 43 R-Bj PxP ch
is 22 PxP. any help since QxP holds the 30 R-Q8, Kt-K3; 31 R(Q8)xP, RxB!; F 44 KxP R-KI
square KB2. PxR, KtxP; 33 RxP, KtxR; 34 RxKt, R-K3; 45 K- B 4 R-QRI
Black has a simple draw. After the
22 ... PxP
text-move a difficult rook ending ensues. P-Kt4 ch! was an interesting way of clinch-
Otherwise White gets good tactical chances, ing the draw. If then 46 RxP. R-QBI;
;0 RxR KtxR
but now his Q4 is weak. 47 R-B5. K-K3; while if 46 KxP. K-K3;
31 R-Q8 Kt-K3
,2 RxP KtxB and if 46 K-B5, P-Kt5! Now the game
2, RxP R-QBI
moves on into a difficult queen ending.
H PxKt R-K3
34 R-Q5
K-K2
The ending is instructive. Black must work
fast since the advance of the white king
73 ... K-R;?
threatens to assist the passed pawn.
Black probably overlooked that after The losing move. K-RI was safe, for if
34 ... P-B3 47 ...• R-QI; 48 RxR. KxR; 49 K-Q6!, 74 P-R7, Q-K5; 75 K-Kt8, Q-Kt5 ch;
3j PxP RxP P-Kt4; 50 P-R4, wins. After taking the 76 Q-Kt7, Q-B5 ch; 77 K-R8, Q-Q5.
RP. 48 R-Q7 ch, would drive the black
35 ... , PxP; would fail against 36 RxP. king to his rear rank and the white king 74 P-R7 Q-Kj
K-Kt3; 37 R-BI!, followed by R-QBI. would reach the BP's queening square. 75 Q-Kt6 chI Resigns

36 R-Q6 For if the king goes to the fourth rank,

47 R-R2 White plays 76 Q-R5 ch, and 77 P-R8=Q.
Even against this strong move Black has 48 P-R4 P- Kt4
a defence. Less powerful was 36 R-Q4. 49 P-Rj P-Ktj GAME 20
An obvious move but not the strongest, R- B3; 37 R-QB4, K- Kt 3; 38 K-B2. K-B3; 50 R-Kts P-Kt6
since Black can now defend himself by 39 K-K3. K-K4; 40 p-KR4. P-R4!; 41 51 R-Kt7 ch RxR Tal's game against Geller was an impor-
an exchange of queens. Tal could have put R-B2, K-Q4. 52 PxR P-Kt7 tant landmark in his uncommonly enter·
more difficulties in Black's way by 24 53 P-Kt8=Q P-Kt8=Q taining series of victories. Both players are
R(B4)-BI, with the threat of 25 B-R3. and 36 K-Kt3
K-K!
54 Q-B7 ch lovers of complications and as early as the
after 24 ... , Q-K3 (to defend KB2); 2j 37 R-Kt6 K-B2
55 Q-B8 ell K-K2 12th move their clash was marked by com-
B-Q6!, RxR; 26 RxR. P-Kt3; 27 R-B5!, 38 K-B2 R-K;
56 Q-B7 ell K-KI binative play. with Geller showing him-
when White must win. 39 P-B6 R-Kj
P-Bj 57 K-Q6 Q-Qs ch self not in the least reluctant to meet Tal
40 RxP
j8 K-B6 Q-Kj ell on his own ground. The game proceeded
24 Kt-Kt3!
25 QxQ RxQ Trying for the trap 41 K-B3, PxP! How- 59 K-Kt6 Q-Ktj ch by a string of surprising turns until at the
26 R-Kt4 ever, a simpler line was 40 ... , R-B5; 41 60 K-R6 Q-Q R5 very climax Geller slipped and then quickly
K-K3, P-Rj. 61 K-Kt7 Q-Ktj ch subsided.
If 26 BxKt, RxB; 27 R-B7, P-Q3; 28 62 Q-Kt6 Q-K2 ch
R-Q7, PxP; 29 PxP, R(RI)-R3; 30 6; K-B8 Q- K 5 RUY LOPEZ
R(BI)-B7. R(R3)-Kt3; Black has a satis- 64 Q-Kt5 ch K-BI
Tal thought for fifty minutes before seal·
factory defence. 65 P-R6 Q-K3 ch TAL GELLER
ing this move, which is the one that gives
66 K-B7 Q-K2 ch I P-K4 P-K4
R(RI)-R,! him the best chance.
67 Q-Q7 Q-B4 ch 2 Kt-KB3 Kt-Q B3
The only defence! 26 ... , Kt-Q4; 27 41 ... PxP ch 68 Q-B6 Q-K6 3 B-Ktj P-QR3
R-Kt7. Kt-B2; 28 B-R;, loses a pawn. 42 PxP P-Rj 69 K-Kn Q-K2 ch 4 B-R4 Kt-B3
70 K-B8 Q-K6 j 0-0 B-K2
27 R(BI)-Ktl Kt-Q4 It is doubtful whether White could have 71 Q-B6 ch K-Ktl 6 R-KI P-QKt4
28 R-Kt8 ch K-R2 won even after 42 ... , R-B5; 43 RxP. 72 Q-Q8 ch K-R2 7 B-Kt; 0-0
29 R(Ku)-Kt7 R-B2 RxP. 73 Q-B7 ch 8 P-B3 P-Q3

55

9 P-KR~ Kt-QR4
10 B-B2 P- B4
II P-Q4 B-Kt2
A new idea, instead of the usual II . . .
Q-B2; or II ... , BPxP; 12 PxP, Q-B2.
Not content to play the simplifying line
I l PxKP, PxP; 13 QxQ, KRxQ; 14 B-Kt5,
which assures White of a small positional
advantage. He has played the text-move
several times, rather than 12 QKt-Q2,
which causes Black no trouble, or 12 P-Q5,
which closes the centre and does not appeal
to a player who prefers open positions
with combinative possibilities.
12 PxKtP
I, PxKtP Kt-Bj
14 QKt-Q2 P-Q4
Geller complicates in his turn, for 14 ....
KtxKt; 15 BxKt, is somewhat to White's
advantage.
15 PxQP
An alternative was 15 KtxKt, KtPxKt; 16
PxKP, KtxP; 17 P-R3, and 18 Kt-Q4.
15 PxP
Tal considers that after 15 ... , KtxP; 16
KtxKt, PxKt; 17 KtxP, KtxP; 18 KtxQBP,
KtxB; 19 QxKt, R-BI; 20 Q-Q3, Black
has insufficient compensation for his lost
pawn.
16 KtxKt PxKt
17 QxP BxKtP
Black has to decide which of the pawn.
to take. If I7 ... , KtxP; 18 Q-K4, P-Kt3:
19 B-R6, R-KI; 20 B-R4, Kt-B6; 21
QxQB, KtxB; 12 Q-B6, White gets a de-
cisive advantage. while if 17 ...• BxQP;
18 Kt-K5, BxP; 19 R-QI, White has a
strong initiative, so the text-move is pro-
hably best.
21 B-Kt5! Now 25 R-K7. fails after 27 ... , QxR;
28 BxP ch. K-RI! White could recover the
21 R-B7, Q-K3; 22 B-Kt5. Kt-Q4; 23 exchange by 25 BxP ch, KxB; 26 R-K7,
R-B5. Kt-B6; allowed Black good coun- QxP; 27 QxQ, RxQ; 28 RxR, but Black
ter-play. then has the better game after 28 ... ,
,
Kt-Q2.
21
A worthy riposte 1 He would have done 25 PxB?
himself no good by accepting the sacrifice:
A grave mistake, throwing away this de-
21 ... , QxR; 22 BxKt, PxB; 23 Q-R4. and
lightful game which has been so well con-
now either 23 ... , BxP ch; 24 KxB, Q- Kt3
tested on both sides so far. Correct was
ch; 25 Kt-Q4!, QxP; 26 QxP ch, K-Br;
25 ... , QxB; 26 QxQ, PxQ; 27 P-Q7,
27 Q-R6 ch, winning the queen or mating,
18 R-Ktr! producing an interesting position which
or 23 ... , P-B4; Q-Kt5 ch. K-BI; 2;
requires care, for if 27 ... , K-BI; 28 BxP,
White's initiative would have evaporated Q-B6, K-Ktr; 26 BxP. with a decisive
R-K7; 29 K-Kt3, RxRP; 30 B-B5, White's
if he had withdrawn the rook, so he pre- attack. Now BxP ch is threatened.
passed pawns are stronger than Black's,
fers to sacrifice the exchange. after which especially the KRP. Black however can ob-
22 R-B7
his two bishops will come into their own. tain the draw by 27 ... , K-Kt2!; 28 B-B5,
Black must accept the offell, for if 18 ... , Necessary. sinc€ -22 KtxB, RxKt ch; 23 R-K4; 29 R-B8. RxB; 30 RxR, R-Q4·
KtxP; 19 BxP ch, KxB; 20 Kt-Kt5 ch, K-R2, QxR; 24 BxKt, PxB; 25 Q-R..h
K-Ktl; 21 Q-R4. Kt-B3; 22 RxB, Q-Q4: P-B4; 26 BxP, P-B3; does not yield 26 R-K7 QxP
23 Kt-B3. White has a pull. White any break-through.
He has no good move, QxR losing against
18 BxR
22 Q-K3 27 Q-Kt4 ch.
19 RxB R-KI
2~ KtxB
Theoretically best, but in view of White's 27 QxQ RxQ
attacking intentions Geller might have The exchange is now feasible. 28 RxR R-Q7
done better with 19 ... , QxP; 20 QxQ, 29 R-QBI RxP
KtxQ; 21 KtxB, QR-Ktl; 22 RxR, RxR; 23 RxKt ch 30 B-K4 RxP
forcing an end-game which would pro- 24 K-R2 R-QI ~I RxP P-Q R4
bably end in a draw. But Geller is not out 32 R-B8 ch K-Kt2
He has to watch the strong QP and the
for simplifications! H R-B7 Resigns
threatened R-K7. Insufficient is 24.··,
20 P-Q6 Kt-Q2; 25 B-QR4!
To answer R-K7 with 21 QxP.
GAME 21
25 BxKt
20 Q-BI Tal gained a big positional advantage
by energetic play against Furman, who
tried to resuscitate an old-fashioned de-
fence. Furman sacrificed a pawn under
pressure without adequate compensation,
except that Tal, carried away by
dreams of a possible combination. made
a serious error and ended up with
the worse game. He was lucky, however,
since Furman then overstepped the time
limit. If fortune is said to favour the
brave, there is no doubt it also favours
the strong.
57
 RUY LOPEZ 16 KtxBPI Q-B2 what Tal required. A barely discernable
17 Kt(B3)XP PxKt error on the 9th move led to Gipslis' de-
TAL FURMAN Fascinated by what would be a very nice
18 KtxP QxP ch feat, Tal exploiting the position with fluent
I P-K4 P-K4 19 K-RI combination if only it were capable of elegance and the superior placing of his
B-K3
2 Kt-KB3 Kt-QB3 20 B-K3 realization: 29 ... , Q-R6; 30 QxR chI,
Q-B2 forces being achieved with all his custom-
3 B-Ktl Kt-B3 21 Q-K 4 R-BI RxQ; 31 R-B8 chI, RxR; 32 Kt-K7 ch, aty energy.
4 P-Q4 PXP 22 P-B3 R-KI K-RI; 33 RxR mate, while 29 ... , Q-Kt3;
5 P-Ks Kt-Kj 23 R-Q2 R-Ktl would allow the overpowering Q-Q7. But
6 Q-K2 it is all a mirage, ruined by Black's simple SICILIAN DEFENCE
Black's pawn sacrifice gave him counter- answer which wins the exchange. TAL GIPSLIS
In theory White's strongest move in this play for a short time but now it can be
variation is to castle on the 4th move. In seen that he has insufficient compensation. 29 Q- R51 P-K4 P-QB4
the variation chosen here Pachman's book 30 KtxP BxR 2 Kt-KB3 P-K 3
The simplest way for White now to in-
only considers 6 0-0, and gives it as lead- crease his advantage was 24 P-B4, but Tal .31 RxB R-KBI 3 P-Q4 PxP
ing to an equal game. Pachman's analy- 4 KtxP P-QR3
is tempted to introduce a combinative mo- Now White is able to develop threats
sis, however, does not consider the ma- tif. 5 Kt-QB3
noeuvre Q-K2 and R-QI. owing to the undefended back rank.
24 QR-QI B-B4 31 ... , Q-K2; was far better. The attempt to refute Black's play by 5
6 Kt-B4 25 Q-QR4 B-QKt3 P-QB4, raises problems for both sides
7 0-0 B-K2 26 R-KBI 32 Q-B4 ch K-RI which have never heen fully solved.
8 R-QI 0-0 33 Kt-Q7 RxR ch
9 BxKt KtPxB This game is a good example of the faults 34 QxR R-KI P-QKt4
IO KtxP Q-KI in Tal's play. He goes in for complica- .35 KtxPl Q-K2
tions when once again he could have as- 36 Kt- B3 Q-Kj 5 ... , Q-B2; is certainly more prudent.
II Kt-QB3 P-B3
12 Kt-Bj B-QI serted his advantage by simple means. The n K-Kt2 QxP ch
6 B-Q3 B-Kt2
obvious move was 26 P-B4, and then if 38 K-B2 7 0-0 Q-B2
Worth considering was 12 ... , PxP; 13 26 ... , R(KI)-KBI; 27 BxB, PxB; 28
Black here overstepped his time and lost, 8 R-KI
QxP, Kt-K3. Q-QK t4!
though with White's material balance he
13 Q-B4 ch Kt-K3 26 Q-R4 could hardly have had more than a draw At Riga in 1958 Krogius played 8 Q-K2,
27 BxB PxB at best. against Korchnoi. so that after P-Kt5 he
28 R(Q2)-KB2 B-Q6! could withdraw the knight to QI. The
game continued 8 ... , Kt-QB3; 9 KtxKt,
Clearly the rooks were better placed on GAME 22 PxKt; IO P-QR4. P-Kt5; II Kt-QI,
the Q file than they are on the KB file. P-QB4; 12 Kt-K3, and White had the ad-
Now Black can start counter-play after 29 Tal's style is no insurance against peril. vantage. But later at the same tournament
R-KI, by R-KBI. With his perpetual search for tension he the Boleslavsky-Kotov game revealed an
is constantly taking risks, and even more improvement for Black with 8.... Kt-
so than usual in an exceptionally strong KB3; 9 B-Q2, Kt-B3; 10 KtxKt. QxKt;
field like that assembled for the XXVth II P-QR3. B-B4; and the position is level.
Championship. For this reason he lost three Tal's move is more effective, as will ap-
games in the tournament - to Korchnoi, Bo- pear after White's 13th mcve.
leslavsky and Bannik - and reached a si-
tuation where he had to win his last two 8 Kt-Q B3
14 Kt-Q4! PxP games to be sure of finishing first.
15 KtxKt P-Q41? In one, against Gipslis, he managed it 8 ... , Kt-KB3; was worth considering. In
without great difficulty, for his young op- the game Durasevic-Taimanov at Zagreb.
Preferring the sacrifice of a pawn to re- ronent, regarded in his home town of Riga 1958. a draw was agreed after 8 ... ,
capturing on K3 with a ruined pawn struc- as Tal's most dangerous rival, chose an Kt-KB3; 9 P-K5, Kt-Q4; 10 B-Q2, KtxKt;
ture.
opening of doubtful value, which was just II BxKt, Kt-B3; 12 KtxKt, BxKt; though

59
 White would have had chances after 13 12 KtxKt
Q-Kt4, because of his more open position. Q-B3; 19 BxB ch, KxB; 20 Q-B3 ch, with 20 ... , Q-B4; 21 R-KI, winning in each
There is nothing else, for 12 ... , P-QR4; an irresistible attack. case.
9 KtxKt QxKt? loses to 13 B-QKtj, Q-B4; 14 B-K3, Q_.
Q3; Ij B-KB4, P-K4; 16 BxKP. 16 BxP 21 PxP K-Ku
It could hardly have been foreseen that 22 Q-Kt2 B-B3
this move would create great difficulties 1'1 PxKt Recovering his pawn and thus further em-
for Black, but since that is so, 9 ... , PxKt; phasising his superiority. If 22 ... , R-B2; 23 RxQP, QxR; 24 PxP,
was essential. The difference between 8 Q-K2, and 8 QxP; 2\ QxR ch, R-BI; 26 QxR ch.
R-KI, is now apparent. Black cannot now 16 BxB
play QxP; because as Tal has played it. 23 BxB RxB
The following were alternative possibili-
there is the reply 14 B-K4. 24 RxQP
Surprisingly simple and simply surpnsmg. ties: 16 ... , QxB; 17 QxB, and now either
By the attack on the QKtP he provokes 17 ... , R-QI; 18 QxBP, QxKtP; 19 QR- The simultaneous attack on QRI and KKtz,
Black's reply. Ku, QxR?; 20 B-Rj ch, P-Kt'l; 21 BxP finely elaborated and carried through with
ch, or 17 ... , R-QKu; 18 QR-QI, Q-K2; great energy, decides the game.
IO P-Ktl
19 B-Rj ch, P-Kt3 (K-QI; 20 Q-Rj ch).
IO .•• , PxP; II RxP, Kt-B3; 12 R-B4, 20 Q-K\, and wins.
24 QxR
Q-Kt3; 13 B-K3, was worse still. 2\ QxR ch R-BI
17 QxB Q-BI
18 B-B3 K-B2 26 QxP Resigns
19 QR-QI

Preparing the final stroke by threatenlllg

II Kt-Qj
This is nothing if not surprisingl With one
sudden move Black can find no defence,
being overshadowed by the threat of 12
B-Q2, P-QR4; 13 B-KB4, R-BI; 14
B-QKtj, Q-B4; Ij BxP ch.
II Kt-B3
The only other possibility was 0-0-0,
but then after 12 Kt-K3, Black's king
looks extremely exposed to attack.
12 B-Q2!
Tal now makes the most of his advantage
with a few well-chosen moves.
GAME 23
RxP ch.
Before the last round Petrosian and Tal
B-K2 led with II 112 points and, as so often in
Russian championships, there was intense
If Black could only find time to castle in competition among a whole cluster at the
effect by R-BI and K-Ku, he might still front. Bronstein was 1/2 point and Aver-
hold the game. bach and Spassky I point behind. Natu-
Simple but still very fine. The threat is rally the Spassky-Tal game became the
II PxP, winning a pawn, and if 14 .... centre of interest. Tal was somewhat lucky
BxP; then 15 B-K3, Q-B3; 16 BxB, QxB; t(~ beat his great rival; the Leningrad
17 QxQ, PxQ; 18 B-Kt\ dis. ch. Black champion tried for complications and so
therefore creates an escape square for his K. far from accepting a pawn sacrifice he of-
fered one; Tal's position looked hazardous,
14 P-B4 but a stout defence brought equality and
15 B-KB'I when Spassky tried for too much. Tal
reaped the fruits of victory. Since Petrosian
Much better than 1\ BxBP, BxP; 16 Q-Rj could only draw, the destination of the
ch, K-QI; with no evident advantage tG Championship was decided.
White.
NIMZO-INDIAN DEFENCE
Ij BxP 20 P-KK41
Relatively best. Against 1\ ... , 0-0-0; Obtaining a dominating position on the SPASSKY TAL
White has the decisive 16 B-Ktj, and then vital files. P-Q4 Kt-KB3
if 16 ... , R-KI; 17 PxP, PxP; 18 BxB ch, 2 P-QB4 P-K3
20 R-BI
KxB; 19 Q-Q7 ch, winning the rook, or if 3 Kt-QB'I B-Ktl
16 ... , B-K2; 17 BxB, QxB; 18 P-Q6. What else? 20 ... , Q-B3: 21 QxQ, PxQ; 4 P-QR3 BxKt ch
PxP, PxP; 23 R-Q7, KR-KI; 24 B-Kt4, or
22 I PxB P-B4

60
61
 6 P-K~ Kt-B~ II BxP 22 KR-BI 44 P- R4 R-K7
7 B-Q~ P-K4 2~ QR-BI Q-K~ 4j Q-Q6 ch Q-K 3
Not II . . . , KPxP; 12 QxP, BxP; when 24 BxKt PxB
White's choice of the critical Samisch vari- White gets a dangerous attack by Kt-Bj 2j K-B2 Q-Q,
ation indicated an intention of playing and P-K4. 26 P-R~ K-BI
to win. Black equally plays an active game 12 Kt-BI An inaccurate move which allows White
as shown by this double-edged advance of
to obtain control of the QB-file. Correct
the KP. An artificial manoeuvre. After the simple was 26 ... , R-B~; but, Tal's explosive
PxKP Black would have difficulty in find- personality is hardly likely to be patiem
8 Kt-K2 ing counter-chances in view of White's enough to find such a move,
9 B-Ktl strong centre and his pair of bishops.
27 R-B2! RxR
Preferring a counter-attack on White's 12 0-0 28 QxR P--Kt~
QBP to passive defence of his own KP by I~ Kt-Q6 B-Q6 29 R-BI Q-Q2
0-0 and R-Kr. 14 BxB PxB ~O Q-B6 QxQ
Ij QxP PxP 31 RxQ R-R~
Here the game was adjourned. The posi·
10 Kt-Kt~ B-R~ 16 BPxP Kt-KI ,2 P-Rj!
tion of the black K induced Spassky to
17 Kt-B\ P-Q4
Now 32 ... , RxP; H RxQKtP, would try for a win which the course of the game
18 P-QR4
yield a favourable end-game for White. shows not to be there. The trouble is that
Tal avoids this by a small combination Spassky refuses to admit the fruitlessness
which leads to an ending with fresh queens. of his efforts.

46 Q-B4 ch Q- B4
47 Q-R6 K-K2
48 Q-B8 ch K-B~
49 Q- Kt7 ch K-K2
jO R-QR8 Q-Q2
jI Q-B8 ch K-B3
j2 R-R6 ch R-K~
53 Q-R8 ch K-K2
j4 R-R8 R-K8
jj K-Kt3 P- R4
j6 K-B2 R-K~
18 '" Kt-Q~!
Usually regarded as the most effective 57 R-QB8 R-Q,
way of meeting Black's line of defence. This excellent move renders the threat- j8 Q-B8 ch K-B~
There are fewer difficulties for Black af- ened 19 B-R" ineffective because that move 32 P-Kt6! j9 R-K8 R- K3
ter II KtxP, KtxKt; 12 BxKt, BxP; because would now be answered by 19 ... , KtxKt; H PxP P-Kt7 60 Q-R8 ch K-B4
of the favourable end-game following 13 20 BxR, Q-Kt4! Thus Black secures a 34 P-Kt7! P-Kt8=Q 61 Q-R6 K-B~
PxP, PxP; 14 BxKt, PxB; Ij QxQ ch. Then ~j R-B8 ch K-Kt2
satisfactory position.
again White could play to win a pawn by ,6 P-Kt8=Q R-R7 ch Naturally not 61 ... , RxR?; because of
II Q-R4, Kt-QR4; 12 PxP, BxP; 13 KtxP, 19 KtxKt QxKt 37 K-Kt~ Q-K8 ch 62 Q-Ktj ch, K-K,; 6, Q-Kj mate.
KtxKt; 14 BxKt, R-QBI; Ij PxP, PxP; 20 B-R~ Kt-Ktl ,8 K-R2 QxP
but Black gets sufficient counter-play. No 21 Q-Kt~ P--QR4 39 R-Kt8 ch K-B~ 62 Q-R8 ch K-B4
more effective is II Q-R4, Kt-QR4; 12 22 0-0 40 Q-Q6 ch Q-K, 6~ R-Q8
KtxP, because after 12 ... , KtxKt (not 41 Q-B4 ch Q- B4
BxP; I~ Kt-Q6 ch); I~ BxKt, R-QBI; Black QR-Ku is not effective because of 22 ... , 42 Q-Q6 ch Q-K, By not taking the draw even now White
regains the pawn with a good game. KR-BI; 2~ 0-0, R-Bj. 43 Q-Kt, Q-K6 prepares to lose.

62
 63 Q- B3
64 R-QB8r Q- R3 INTER-ZONAL TOURNAMENT FOR THE
6j K-Kt3 Q-Q3 ch WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
66 K-R, R-K8

'The boot is now on the other foot! It is

White's king which is in danger, and the
danger is mortal because his associates
cannot get back to help in his defence.

67 P-Kt3 R-KKt8 At Portoroz in the autumn of 1958 the Yugoslav Chess Federation organized
68 P-B4 R-K8 K-Ktl the Inter-zonal Tournament, a gathering of most of the finest players of the
69 R-B2 Q- K 3! world. Tal was now regarded as one of the favourites in spite of the alarming
The once harassed king supplies the quality of the opposition and his devotees were not disappointed, for yel;
70 R-B2 R-R8 ch finishing stroke to his rival!
71 K-Ku Q-Kj ch once again the first prize found its way to MLkhail Tal!
72 R-B3 73 Q-B8 ch P-B4 For him Portoroz was such a triumph that the ranks of those who still
Resigns doubted became thin indeed. A first prize in such a tournament is beyond
being explained away as an accident for, apart from Botvinnik, Keres and
Smyslav, they were all there, the whole of the championship field. Tal played
brilliantly and with his usual fire and energy, which is as much as to say he
well deserved his victory.

GAME 24 A well-known posItIOn in the close varia-

tion of the Lopez, from which many
Tal's game against Filip was delightful cboices are open to both sides. Filip
in spite of its inaccuracies and omissions. chooses one of the oldest.
The king's side attack with its intention
of achieving a central break-through is 12 Kt-B3
much to be admired. After Black's faulty 13 PxBP PxP
Fnd move, which lost a piece without com- 14 Kt-BI B-Q3
pensation, it was all over.
Since White aims in this variation to oc-
RUY LOPEZ cupy Black's Q4 and KB4 by Kt-K3-Qj
and Kt-R4-Bj, Black must defend these
TAL FILIP points. The text-move deriving from Bot-
I P-K4 P-K4 vinnik, plans to do this by following up
2 Kt-KB3 Kt-Q B3 with Kt-K2.
3 B-Ktj P-QR3
4 B-R4 Kt-B3 Ij Kt-R4
j 0-0 B-K2 Smyslov introduced this move in the 14th
6 R-KI P-QKq game of his 1957 match with Botvinnik and
7 B-Kt3 P-Q3 the knight gained in effectiveness after
8 P-B3 Kt-Q R4 Botvinnik's Ij ... , P-Kt;. The play at
9 P-KR3 P- B4 Portoroz showed that Black's next was an
10 B-B2 Q-B2 improvement on Botvinnik's move. The
II P-Q4 0-0 old move here for White used to be Ij
12 QKt-Q2 B-Ktj, but it has been found to be satis-
factorily answered by Ij ... , Kt-KI; 16 Also inaccurate! The pawn move is not R-QI! Tal now obtains a powerful centre GAME 25
Kt-K3, P-B3; I7 Kt-Qj, Q-Kt2 or Q-B2. necessary and only weakens the king's and is able to deliver an overwhelming
position. 22 ... , Kt-KI and 23 .... attack. The Soviet school of chess has a long
Ij Kt-K2 tradition of development and now exerts
P-B3; gave more chances of a successful
16 Q-B~ RxR
defence. 30 R-Q4! a wide influence everywhere. It seems to
~I PxR K-R2 produce masters almost as if out of a
If 16 B-Ktj, Black's best defence is 16 ... ,
2~ R-KKtI Q-K2 32 R-QI Kt-KI? mould, one of the best being Mikhail Tal.
Kt-KI; 17 Kt-B5, B-K~!; and 18
24 B-Q2 B-B4 III him the basic concept of the Soviet
P-B3. Black need have no fear of exchang-
2j QR-QI R-Q2 Another good example of Tal's "luck." school is most fully manifested, namely the
ing the bishop on Q3 because it is only
26 Q-Kt3 Q-BI Black is in difficulties with his defence dynamic approach which seeks a fight even
serving in a defensive role.
27 K-RI against the repeated threats of a central at the cost of a weakness or a sacrifice of
16 R-QI pawn advance and the opening of the material. Other characteristics of the Soviet
If the king had only been on KRI in the bishop's diagonal. Exhausted by his con- school, the creation and shrewd exploitation
In a previous meeting between the two at first place, a sacrifice on Black's KR 1 sideration of the various possibilities, Filip of positional advantages, are equally mani-
Reykjavik in 1957 Filip here played 16 ... , would now have been strong. failed to find the defence 32 ... , Kt-Q2; fest in Tal's play. The motif of the fol
B-K3; and the game was equal after 17 and 33 ... , P-B3; after which he still had lowing game is the utilization of White'
27 QR-QI
Kt-Kt3, Q-B3; 18 Kt(R4)-Bj, KtxKt, a chance of holding out. That is not to weaknesses on the queen's side.
1<) KtxKt, BxKt; 20 QxB, Kt-KI. Possibly say that he would not still have been in
Filip deviated from the previous line trouble and in many lines might well have
throngh fear of running into a prepared had to reckon on giving back the piece. SICILIAN DEFENCE
innovation.
SZABO TAL
17 Kt-K~ Q-Kt2 P-K4 P-QB4
Black has slightly the poorer game owing 2 Kt-KB~ P-Q3
to the awkwardness of the whole variation. ~ B-Kt5 ch B-Q2
The text was played to avoid the lines 4 BxB ch QxB
of the Averbach-Neikirch game in the j 0-0 Kt-QB3
6 P-B3 Kt-B~
same tournament when White got an ad-
vantage after I7 ... , Q-B3; 18 P-B4!, 7 R-KI P-K3
Kt-KI; 19 B-Kt3, P-Kt5; 20 Kt-Q5, In the B-QKt5 variation of the Sicilian,
Q-Kt2; 21 B-R4, Kt-B2; 22 B-KKt5, 28 BxP!
Black frequently fianchettoes his KB, but
Kt(B2)xKt; 23 BPxKt. But now after the This sacrifice is not effective against the after 6 P-B3, Tal considers it may do bet-
exchanges on Black's KB4 White will be correct defence, but should one query it ter on the other diagonal.
able to attack along the KKt file and when it gives White the chance of winning
Black's defence will be difficult. in the ensuing complications? In other con- 8 P-Q4 PxP
33 P-B6!
tinuations the transition to an end-game 9 PxP P-Q4
18 P-KKt4 P-B\ IO P-K\
would favour Black. White's bishop comes into action at last.
19 Kt(K3)-Bj KtxKt
20 KtxKt Black's position is untenable. With a position reminiscent of the French
BxKt 28 PxB
21 KtPxB! K--RI Defence, except that Black has gained by
29 QxP B-K2? 33 KtxP
22 K-R2? having to face no active white bishop on
Black could have put his finger on the Q3 and is not burdened with a caged QB
A slight inaccuracy which tarnishes a so far BxP was no better.
weak spot in the sacrifice by playing of his own.
well-played game. K-RI would have led
to a forced win, whereas the value of the 29 . . .• Q-K2!; his game would be fa- 34 Q-Bj ch K-RI 10 Kt-Kj
break-through is somewhat doubtful after vourable after 30 Q-B4, Kt-R2 (an ana- 35 P-Kj Q-Kt2 II Kt-QB3
the text-move. lysis in the Deutsche Schachzeitunl{ suggests 36 PxKt BxP
that K-R2! is still better); ~I QxP, Q-B3; 37 R-KKtl B-K t4 Szabo is as activated by the dynamic ap-
22 P-R~? or 31 RxR, RxR; 12 P-Kj. P-B3; B P-K6, ~8 P-B4 Resigns proach as any of the Soviet masters, many

66
of whom he has in consequence been able
to beat. Here he accepts the weakness of
his QBP for the sake of an initiative on
the king's side and on the QKt file, though
in retrospect it can be seen that II QKt-Q2,
would have been better because after II ••. ;
KtxKt; 12 BxKt, B-K2; the position would
have been essentially the same without the
pawn weakness. Admittedly he would not
have had an open QKt file but, as will
appear, this is insufficient to compensate
for a bad pawn skeleton.
complicated play. Whatever Tal may say, A most instructive situation. Black intends Still delaying Black's Kt-Kt4 by hitting
one could reasonably suspect that, like to place his Kt on QKt4 so as to add the KP, but now the white king is stripped
Szabo, he would avoid these lines because decisive weight to his attack on the QBP of defenders and first the queen and then
of the many forced drawing lines involved. and the text-move is part of White's coun- the knight gets at him.
S:tabo accordingly prepares a Q-side offen- ter to this plan. For the next ten moves
35 Kt-B,
sive, but the idea is defeated by Tal's both players fence around this possibility.
exemplary play and the advance of the 36 K-KI Q-Q6!
QRP will soon be found to have weakened 37 P-Ktj PxP
2j
the pawn structure still further, so that ,8 PxP
White finds himself on that road to hell Threatening Kt-BI-R2-Kt4 once again.
which is paved with good intentions.
26 Q-Q6

II KtxKt Introducing a combinative element into the

12 PxKt play. White cannot take the KP on account
A grave mistake which leaves his bishop of the loss of his queen, but he threatens
Tal's exploitation of this weakness and his quite useless. The more active knight tips to have it next move.
neat thwarting of White's attempts to in- the scales on the Q-side. The only chance
crease his activity make the game a most ot counter-play lay in 18 PxP e. p., RxP; 27 R-Kt6 R(B5)-B,
instructive one. Ii) R-K2. 28 RxR QxR
29 R-Ktl R-Q2
12 [8 QR-BI
13 Kt-Ktj R-Bj 3° Q-Kt4
19 KR-KtI
14 Q- R 5 20 Q-QI KR-BI
21 P-Rj Kt-B, The ending would have been hopeless
Kt-R3 was worth considering SO that if after 30 QxQ, KtxQ; 31 R-RI, Kt-R2; KtxRPl
22 Q- Kt3 R-B2
Black castled on the K-side a pawn attack with Black continuing with Kt-Kq, R-B2
2, R-Kt2 K-R2!
could be launched with P-KB4 and P-Kt4. and R-Bj.
He can now even let the KP go.
B.-,Kt A necessary preparation for his plan. If
14 Kt-BI
Ij BxB Kt-K2 23 ... , P-R3; at once, then 24 Q-Kt6, 3° 39 RxKP Kt-Bj
Kt-K2; 25 Q-Q6, R(B5)-B3 (Q-KI now 31 P-Kt4 40 B-BI QxP eh
16 B-Q2 0-0
fails against QxP ch); 26 QxQ, RxQ; 27 41 K-QI QxP ch
17 P·-QR4 The black knight will reach QKt4 at last,
QR-KtI, and he has equalized. 42 K-K2 Q-K5 cb
According to Tal, there were good chances so White starts an attack on the king as Q-B6 cb
43 K-QI
now by sacrificing the bishop, and he gives P-R3! his last chance, but Tal successfully nips
44 K-B2
the following variations: 17 BxP, PxB; 18 this attack in the bud too.
QxRP, Q-Qr! (18 ... , Kt-B4; 19 Q-Kt5 After 44 K-KI, Q~R8 ch; 4j K-B2, QxB;
eh, Kt-Kt2; - if K-R2; 20 R-K3, KtxR; 31 P-KKt> he cannot play 46 R-K7, on account of
21 Q-R5 eh, it is a draw - 20 R-K3, Q- 32 Q-B8 R-Kt2 46 ... , Q-K6 ch; forcing the white K to
QI; 21 Q-R6, is merely a transposition); 19 33 K-B2 the KKl file, when Black wins the rook
R-K3, Kt-B4; 20 Q-R5, KtxR; 21 PxKt, by QxKtP.
Q-K2; 22 Q-Kq eh, K-R2; 23 Q-R5 He could have prevented the following
eh., K-Kt2; 24 Q-Kq ch, K-R3; 25 incursion of the black queen by Q-Kt4 44 Q-K7 ch
R-KBI, P-B4! (R-KKtI?; 26 R-B6 ch, but then weakness on the Q-side would 45 K-B, P-Qj chi
R-Kt3; 27 Q-R4 ch, K-Kt2; 28 RxR ch, have cost him the game. 46 K-Kt4 P-R4 ch
winning); 26 PxP e. p., RxP; 27 Q-R4 ch, 47 K-Bj R-B2 ch
drawing by perpetual check. Or instead Q-Bj! 48 K-Kt5 KtxP dis. cb
33
of the above, 20 ... , Kt-Kt2; 21 Q-R6, 34 R-Kt2 Kt-R2 49 K-Kt6 R-B, ch
P~B4; 22 R-Kt3, Q-K2; 23 P-KB4, with 25 Q-Kt6~ ,5 R-Kt6 Resigns

68
 GAME 26 II B-K~ PxP 18 PxKt, QxQ; 19 BxQ, R-QI. with only have helped White because after 29
12 PxP Kt-R4 adequate counter-play. BxKt. RxB; 30 QxP, Black will have great
In the game against Panna the compli- I) B-B2 P-QB4 difficulty in salvaging his knight,
17 B-Kt3! P-Bj
cations are fantastic even by Tal's own
18 B-Q2 KtxKB
standard. The game is in many ways remi-
niscent of the Tal-Geller game in the If x8 ... , B-B4; 19 BxKt, QxB; 20 Q-QB3,
XXVth Championship where it was also a QxQ; 21 KtxQ.
pawn move that introduced the complica- (See diagram on page 70.)
tions. This game is one of splendid attacks,
19 Kt-B6! KtxR!
unwavering defence and in the end an
w KtxQ B-B4!
error without which it would have ended
21 Q-KB, QRxKt
with honours even. In his analysis of the
22 RxB BxKt
game L. Abramov describes Tal's playas
23 BxP
follows: "Just look at Tal! How bold he i3,
how quick to come to a decision, how
accurate in finding his way through the
calculation of far-reaching lines of play.
28 RxP chI
I can reveal here that the variations I quote
were scribbled down by Tal without sight Starting the complications. Tal regards this No longer as decisive as in the note to the
of the board in a matter of minutes. He move as the only one which helps White 27th move because the rook on Q5 is de-
wanted to go on further but as he was in to mobilize his pieces, though in fact the fended, It is still the most effective con-
a hurry to start play in another round of quieter 14 P-QKt" comes into consideration tinuation, however. since only the most
the tournament, I refused to delay him any as well. accurate defence can keep Black alive.
longer." In presenting this game, we have
made use of the analysis quoted by 14 PxKP! 28 KxR
Abramov. 29 B-R6 ch KxB
Good play. 14 ... , PxQP; I; BxP, favours ,0 QxR ch K-Kt4
White, while 14.... Kt(R4)-Bj; is met A most extraordinary position! Black has
a material advantage but White's pieces ~I PxKt PxP
RUY LOPEZ with Ij PxQP. QxP; 16 B-Kt5, BxB; I7 ,2 P-Kt~!
KtxB, P-R,; 18 Q-Rj, QxP; 19 QxP chi are better co-ordinated. Black cannot now
TAL PANNO play 23"" PxP; because of 24 P-QKt"
Even after the simplification he is still
Ij KtxP P-Q6; 25 Q-Kt4. Nevertheless, he has to
P-K4 P-K4 combining! The text prepares a mating net.
16 Q-Q3 bring his pieces back to safety and his deci-
Kt-QB~
,2 Kt-KB,
B-Kt; P-QR3 Safer was P-Kt, followed by I7 B-R6,
sion is therefore the right one.
,2
4 B-R4 Kt-B, KtxKt (or R-KI; 18 KtxBP!?, QxP); 23 RxP!
0-0 B-K2 24 Q-Kt4 B-Kt3 Black is also playing for a mate!
5
6 R-KI P-QKt4 2; Q-K6 ch B-B2
33 P-R4 ch K-Kt;!
7 B-Kt, P-Q3 26 Q-B5 Kt-B7!
8 P-B, 0-0 The obvious-looking B-Kr, would have If 3, ... , K-Kt,; ;4 P-B3, B-Q4; ;;
9 P-KR, Kt-Q2 been a bad mistake because of the delight- P-Kt4!
Recent research has made this line of de- ful continuation 27 RxP ch. KxR; 28 B-R6
chI. KxB; 29 QxR ch. K-R4; 30 QxP ch, 34 K-R2 B-B4!
fence playable. The intention is to regroup
by Kt-Kt, and B-B~. winning the second rook and with it the
Even in time trouble Panna finds the
game.
10 P-Q4 Kt-Kt, correct line. Should White now try 35 P-B3
27 P-QKt3 B-Kt, ch, KxP; 36 QxB ch, he will be hard put
Preferable to B-B" which is answered by 27 ...• R-Q8 ch; 28 K-R2, Kt-Q7; as to it to hold Black's passed pawn after
the strong move II P-QR4' mggested by some commentators. would 36 ...• K-K6; n QxRP, P-B6!

70 71
 35 Q-B6 P-R~ 48 K-B2 R-K7 eh White's usual line is 9 Kt-Q2, but equally
36 Q- K 5 R-K5 49 K-BI R-QR7 he can play 9 P-Kt~, because of the con-
37 Q-Kt] ch K-B6 50 Q-R6 eh K-Q5 tinuation 9 ' , , , KtxQP; IO KtxKt, BxR; If
51 P-R\ P-B\ B-Q2! The queen move selected here in
If K-R4; 38 Q-B7 ch, B-Kt3 (K-Kt5; 3) 52 Q-Kt6 eh K-Q4 no way solves White's problems.
P-B; ch); 39 Q-B3 ch, R-Ktj; 40 K-R;,
find wms, Not K-Q6; 53 Q-Ku ch, It is already cleat 9 P-B4
38 Q-B3 ch Kt-K6 that White's passed pawn is stronger than IO P-K4 P-·K3!
39 K-Ktl B-Kt\ Black's. II P-KR3 PxP
40 PxKt P-KR4 53 P-R6 R-·R8 ch IZ BPxP
41 Q-KI! \4 K-Bz P-B6 Black's central counter-play has exposed the
55 P-R7 P-B7 weakness of 9 Q-Q3, If 12 KPxP, in order
56 Q-Kt3 ell K-Q3 to prevent P-QK14, Black has the move 20 KtxQP!
57 Q-Q3 ch Resigns 12 . . • , B-B4.
Deeply and accurately calculated. He [s
For after K-K3; 58 Q-K4 ch, he cannot 12 P-QKt4
hound to recover the piece.
face either 58.,., K-B3 (or Q3); 59 13 B-B4 P-Kt5
Q-Q4 ch, or 58 ... , K-B2; 59 QxP, RxP; [4 Kt-QI R-KI 21 PxKt B-B4
60 Q-R7 ch. Ij R-KI 22 QxP KtxKt
Kt-Qz, in order to control QB4. was worth 23 QxP Kt-K\
GAME 27
considering. Black, for the time being at least, remains
The game against Rossetto is again pe- 15 P-B\ a pawn down without adequate compen-
culiarly characteristic of Tal. A pawn 16 Q-B2 R-R2 sation, but the position is full of the tac
sacrifice and then a piece sacrifice follow B-K 3 QR-K2 tical opportunities which suit Tal so well.
41 RxP? 17
each other without apparent result. Tal re- 18 Kt-Q2 24 Q-Kt6 Q-BI
Panna's only mistake, which is sufficient to covers the piece but remains a pawn down.
25 P-KK14?
cost him the game, By R-K3 he could have Then with another pawn sacrifice he gains
obtained a position so solid as to ensure the time to regroup his pieces, forces a weak- Creating a weakness which will bring its
draw. ness in Rossetto's king's position and then due retribution. Better was 25 K-R2, though
develops a decisive attack which swamps then Tal would have built up the pressure
42 Q-BI ch K-K5 his opponent's king like a tidal wave. with P-R4 and B-K4.
NOI42 ", , KxP?; 43 Q-B2 ch, K-R6; 44 25 Kt-B4
Q-R2 mate, KING'S INDIAN DEFENCE RxR
26 R-R7
ROSSETTO TAL 27 QxR Kt-Q6
43 QxP ch K-B6
P-QB4 Kt-KB3 28 R-BI B-K\
44 Q-BI ch K-K\
45 QxRP K-Q5 2 Kt-KB3 P--KKt3 After three moves he takes the bishop Out
3 P-KKt3 B-Ktz of jeopardy.
Black could have caused White more trouble 4 B-Kt2 0-0
by 45 ... , RxP ch; 46 K-B2, R-B6 ch; 0-0 P-Q3 18 P·-Kt6!? 29 Q-R; BxB
5
47 K-Kt2, K-Q4; since he would then 6 P-Q4 Kt-B3 A startling pawn sacrifice, which appears to Weakening the white squares round the
have been able to hold up the advance of 7 Kt- B3 P·-QR3 favour White owing to the weakness of white king.
the QRP. Even so he is drifting into a 8 P-Q5 Kt-QR4 Black's QRP after the opening of the QR
position of near-Zugzwang and in the end 9 Q-Q3 30 KxB Q- B5!
file and the fact that his QBP can also be
White must triumph, 31 QxP
In this variation of the King's Indian, Black attacked by R-R4.
46 Q-Q6 ch K-B\ aims to obtain play on the queen's side by 19 PxP KtxKtP After the obvious ;1 Kt-B3, Black starts a
47 P- R4 R-K8 ch P-B4 and, after due preparation, P-QKt4. 20 R-R4 dangerous attack in spite of his limited ma-

72 73
 CARO-KANN DEFENCE Black would have good play after II BxKt,
BxB; 12 P-Qj, Q-Kt3.
TAL FUSTER
II Kt-Kj
P-K4 P-QB3
2 P-Q4 P-Q4 Revealing the intention behind his previous
3 Kt-QB3 PxP move, the elimination of the white QB.
4 KtxP Kt-Q2 Nevertheless, the less ambitious II . . . •
Kt-Q4; 12 B-KKt3, 0-0; would have been
Theory regards this variation as entirely better though still not easy for him, be-
adequate. cause against the text-move White has an
interesting tactical device.
Kt-KB3
12 P-KKt4!
41 R-B7 ch Possibly j B-QB4, is stronger because of
26 R-B4 the line j ... , KKt-B3; 6 Kt-Ktj, P-K3; Tal never misses a trick like this! Now if
27 R-Bs 7 Q-K2, Kt-Kt3 (not P-KR3?; 8 KtxBP!); 12 .•• , BxB; then 13 PxB, KtxP; 14 PxP,
If 41 ... , K-QI; 42 K-Q6, RxP; 43 RxP.
White wins. 8 B-Kt3, and now 8 ... , QxP; is proved with a very dangerous attack.
But he is forced into a passive position inadequate by 9 KKt-B3, and 10 Kt-Kj.
after all. 42 P-Kt7 12 B-R2
R-B7 ch
43 K-Kt6 KKt-B3 13 B-KKq! KtxB
R-Kt7 ch j
28 P-QKt4 K-K2 44 K-R7 R-R7 ch 6 KtxKt ch
29 P-B4 K-Q2 4S K-Kt8 RxP
~O K-B2 R-KI 46 K-B8 After 6 Kt-Kt" P-K3; 7 B-Q3, B-K2; 8
R-Kt7
31 K-K~ R-QKtl 47 RxP 0-0, 0-0; Black has a constricted but solid
K-B 3
48 P-R4! position.
Making another vain attempt to activMe
the rook. Destroying Black's last hope, such as it 6 KtxKt
was. 7 B-QB 4
32 P-Kts PxP
48 Preventing B-Ktj, which would be an-
33 PxP K-Q~ P-Kt4
PxP eh KxP swered by BxP ch and Kt-Kj ch.
34 R-Qs ch K-K~ 49
SO R-KB7 Resigns
7
The king cannot get at the passed pawn
owing to the need to defend his own KP. GAME 29 For some time the fashion was to play 14 BPxKt!
It is just one more nail in his coffin. P-KKt3 here, to which 8 Kt-Ktj, is pro-
White is certainly not bound by the dogma
bably the best answer.
Only an extraordinarily acute apprecia- that all captures should be towards the cen-
3j K-Q3 R-Xt2
tion of position could lead Tal to sacrifice 8 Q-K2 P-K 3 tre. The move was no doubt a surprise to
a piece as astonishingly as he does against 9 B-KKtj B-K2 Black, though it is essentially logical since
3j " ' , R-QBI; 36 P-Kt6, R-QKtl; 37
Fiister. A pawn capture away from the 10 0-0-0 1'-KR3 the KB file is more important than the KR
R-Ktj, K-Q3; 38 K-B4, leads nowhere.
centre had already given an indication that file. Pressure on Black's KB2 will now
he was in an original mood. The sacrifice is \'\'hite has developed his game so that if deter Q-side castling, while castling on the
~6 K-B4 R-Ktl
one of those whose consequences cannot Black castles here, he can start an attack by K side can be met with a pawn storm.
37 R-Bs! K-Q3
be foreseen beyond the fact that a comoli- Kt-Kj, P-KKt4 and P-KR4. Kt-Kj would Black's position is not much eased now by
38 R-B6 ch K-Q2
39 K-Bj R--KBI cated position with tactical opportuni~ies moreover be a deterrent to Q-side castling 14 ... , B-Q3; IS B-Kt3, Q-R4, 16 Kt-Kj.
will result. As so often in such situations. by Black. The best chance for Black to
A last attempt to get active play for his Tlcl1's opponent fails to find the way out equalize here was 10 ... , Kt-Q4. Instead. 14 Q-B2
rook. and Fiister's position here collapses in a he takes a preliminary precaution which Ij Kt-Ks B-Q3
mere ten moves. The game is flavoured turns sour on him.
40 P-Kt6 R-B7 III order to defend his KB2 he might have
with the true essence of Tal.
tlied R-KBI and B-Kt3.

77
 16 P-KR4 20 RxR ch BxR 27 QxP Resigns always be in the forefront of Black's cal-
21 Q-B3! culations.
Since castling on either side at the moment For after 27 ... , B-Kj; 28 Q-Kj, winning
is too hazardous, he aims to continue with Only three pieces left, but pleiltY for Tal! a piece. 7
17 Kt-B3, 0-0-0; 18 BxP ch, K-Ku; giving This prevents 21 ... , R-QI; because after A Russian invention. Another way to avoid
up a pawn which he may well recapture 22 RxR ch, mate follows. If Black tries to GAME 30 the bishop sacrifice is 7 ... , P-R3; 8 B-R4,
once his king is safe. However, White re- free his game by 21 ... , B-Kt~; then 22
Petrosian, many times lightning chess P-K3; 9 0-0, Kt-B4; but after 10 R-KI,
futes the text-move with a most unexpected P-Rj, B-B2; 23 R-Q7, winning. So Black
champion of the Soviet Union, reckoned White has the better game (Nejmetdinov-
sacrifice which keeps the black king in the tries to shift the objectionable bishop, or
that Tal was a second a move quicker than Shamkovich, 19j4).
centre, and therefore Black's best line was even to sacrifice the queen for two pieces.
to play 16 ... , BxKt; 17 PxB, R-QI; with he, so Tal was indeed a man of quick 8 Q-Q2 P-K~
good chances of resistance. 21 Q-K2 decisions. In the following game he at once 9 0-0
22 Q-Kt3! spotted Larsen's one mistake, right at the
start of the complications and the punish- 9 a-a-a, P-Kq; IO B-Kt;, used to be
Better than trying for an advantageous ment he meted out was not only severe but played. Here IO BxKP, is not effective
ending by 22 B-Q7 ch, QxB; 23 a demonstration of fine technical polish. because after TO ••• , PxB; II KtxKP,
RxQ, KxR, 24 Q-B7 ch, B-K2; 2j K-B2; 12 KtxB, RxKt; 13 QxP, P-Ktj; 14
QxP. Now the possibility is still on with the SICILIAN DEFENCE Kt-Qj, QxP; White's king is in trouble.
queen coming in at QKt7 instead on KB7, Castling on the other side is now preferred
and also if 22 ... , R-QI; he wins the queen TAL LARSEN because after 9 ... , P-Kq; IO B-Qj!,
by 23 B-B7 ch. P-K4 P-·Q B 4 PxB; II Kt-B6!, Q-Kt3; 12 PxP, White
Kt-KBj P-Q~ obtains a strong attack on the king in the
3 P-Q4 PxP centre.
4 KtxP Kt-KBj
9
j Kt-Q B3 P-QR~
IO B-R4
6 B-KKtj QKt-Q2
II QR-QI
I7 BxPI
Almlllg to develop an early action on the
The natural-looking II . . . , 0-0; is met by
A typical Tal sacrifice, which cannot be Q side, bur the move has the disadvantage
12 Kt-Qj!
refused and which ensures that the black that it does nothing to disturb the strong
king remains in the centre and under fire knight on White's Q4. 12 B-QKt3
&long the Q file and KB file. There is no The retreat to K2 was also worth con-
doubt that many of the ensuing possibilities sidering.
were foreseen by Tal at this point. Very strong since the bishop develops great
activity on this diagonal, even though it 12 P-KKq
17 PxKt 22 R-Ku? seems directly to invite Black to continue
Securing the position of his knight on K4·
18 PxP B-K2 l,..is attack on the Q side and against the
Losing quickly. Better was 22 ... , P-QKt4: KP. The bishop derives its dynamic force I~ B-Ktj B-Q2
Not BxKP; 19 KR-KI, recc,vering the piece 23 B-Q7 ch, QxB; 24 RxQ, KxR; 2j Q-B7 largely from the knight on Q4, and the
with a powerful attack. ch, B-K2; 26 QxP, B-Kj; 27 QxP, and following miniature, won by Nejmetdinov Better chances are offered by 13 ... ,
White's passed pawns must decide the in 19j1, shows what can happen: 7 ... , Kt-R4. The game Tal-Korchnoi in the
19 KR-BI! Issue. XXVIth Championship then continued 14
P-K3; 8 0-0, P-Kq?; 9 BxKP, PxB; 10
KtxKP, Q-Kt3; II Kt-Qj, KtxKt; 12 B-R4 ch, P-Kt4; Ij BxKt, PxQB; 16
If 19 B-Q7 ch, Black could have blunted the 23 B-Q7 ch QxB
QxKt, B-Kt2; 13 Kt-B7 ch, and mates in Kt-B6. Q-B2; 17 KtxB, KxKt!; 18 B-Kt"
attack by QxB and had fair compensation. 24 RxQ KxR
two. Nor in that variation is 8 ... , Q-B2; and White has only a minimal advantage.
\Ii'hite prefers to retain the tension and now 2j Q-B7 ch B-K2
threatens 20 B-B7 ch, K-BI; 21 B-Kt6 dis. 26 P-K6 ch much better for then 9 BxKP, PxB; 10
K-QI 14 P-B4! PxP
ch, K-Ku; 22 Q-B4 ch. KtxP, Q-Bj; II Kt-Qj!, with a strong
15 BxBP Kt-R4
Naturally if 26 ... , K-Q3; 27 Q- B4 ch, attack (Keres-Shaitar, Amsterdam Olym-
19 R-KBr and wins the rook. pics, I9j4). So this consideration must Q-B2 would be more prudent.

79
 16 BxKt QxB Tal made one superficial move and gave
Black a chance to save himself. When this
If 16 ... , PxB; White develops dangerous
was not taken, the greater force of the
threats by 17 Kt-B5, B-B4 ch; 18 K-RI,
white pieces soon decided the issue. In spite
0-0-0: 19 Kt-Q6 ch, BxKt; 20 QxB, B-B~;
of the one doubtful move, the game is still
21 Q-K7.
one of high quality.
I7 K-RI Kt-B~
18 Kt-B~ Q-KR4 ENGLISH OPENING
19 P-K5! PxP TAL DE GRIEFF
P-QB4 Kt-KB~
2 Kt-QB3 P-K~
3 Kt-B~ P-Q4
4 P-K~ B-K2
5 P-QKt3 0-0
6 B-Kt2 P-QKt3
P-B4 with freer play in the centre IS pro-
bably better, but at this point it is largely
a matter of taste. Black gives the impres-
sion both here and later that respect for his
great opponent is making him unduly pru-
dent, though excessive prudence is often
the greater risk.

White exploits the opening of the K file 7 P-Q4 B-Kt2

with great energy, recognizing that Black's 8 B-Q3 QKt-Q2
next, apparently natural, move is a decisive 9 0-0 Kt-K5
mistake. Ccntinuing to omit the move P-B4, which
is essential to this variation.
20 o-o-o?
IO PxP PxP
Leading to a forced loss. Even after the [I Q-K2 1'-QR3
preferable 20 ... , B-B3; 21 Kt-Kt3, [2 Q-B2
Q-Kt5; 22 KtxP, Q-Kt4; 23 Q-K2, Black's
position remains difficult. Not as inconsequent as it looks. By threat-
ening 12 B-R6, he has induced Black to
21 Kt-Kt~ Q-Ktj weaken his Q side.
22 KtxP Q-KRj
12
23' Q-B3 ch K-Ktl
13 Kt-K2
24 KtxB ch Resigns
14" Kt-K5
For if 24 ... , KtxKt; 25 RxKt, winning a Strategically outwitting his opponent. He
piece owing to the undefended position of threatens P-B3, and after the knight retreats,
the black KR. he has a double attack on the black KBP.
Black's hope is therefore to force P-B4 at
GAME 31
once by an attack on the white knight, but
Tal, who for once selects a close opening, then the position of White's knight is rein-
soon outwits his opponent, and by the 15th forced.
move de Grieff is already lost. However, 14 Q-K2

80
The new world champion, with M. Marcel Berman, president of the F. 1. D. E.
The correct plan, but the wrong method.
Correct was 14 ... , Q-KI; so that after Ij
QR-BI, R-BI; 16 Kt-B6, he can continue
1(; ... , Kt-Ktr.
Ij QR-Br QR-BI
He has reached a lost position without a
fight! There was a little more chance in
Ij ... , P-B4; 16 KtxKt, QxKt; 17 P-B3'
Kt-Kt4; 18 P-KR4, Kt-B2; 19 BxBP,
Q-K2; 20 BxP ch, K-RI; 21 PxP, BxP;
though he has no compensation whatever
fer his lost material.
KtxP would allow 22 B-B4 ch. White i,
now ready to reap the benefit of his excel-
lent play. The black king is exposed, while
the black queen and queen's bishop are out
of play.
22 BxP?
Superficial play, for after 22 ... , RxR ch;
23 RxR, KtxP; White has no win. Correct
was 22 RxR ch, first and only then 23 BxP.
KtxP?
22 ...
Quid pro quo.

16 Kt-B6 23 RxR ch RxR

17 Kt-B4 24 Q-K2 BxKt
25 BxB P-K t 5
26 P-QR3 Q-K t 4

An uncommon situation! Black is ham-

strung by the white knights, but if he uses
27 R-KI
the bishops to take them off, his position
becomes quite hopeless. Forcing the knight away. The opening of
the K file ends the game.
18 P-Kt3 Q- R3
19 P-B3 P-KK t 4 27 Kt.-B4
20 KtxP KtxKt 28 Q-K6 ch R-B2
21 PxKt PxP 29 B-Qj Resigns

81
 GOLD MEDAL AT THE WORLD TEAM Unpinning the knight looks reasonable
enough, but after the rooks are exchanged
CHAMPIONSHIP AT MUNICH there is a threat of mate by Q-B8. A line
worth considering was 24 ... , QR-QI; 2j
R(KI)-QI, RxR; 26 RxR, R-QI; 27
RxR ch, QxR; 28 P-KR4, Q-Q7; since
White gets nowhere by 29 BxKt, PxB; 30
PxP, owing to 30 ... , Q-B8 ch; 31 K-R2,
Q-B5 ch.

25 R(KI)-QI KR-QI
26 RxR ch RxR
27 RxR ch QxR
The 11th World Team Tournament took place at Munich in the autumn of 14 Q-Rj! Q-Q3
1958 and the Soviet Union entered a most powerful team, with Mikhail Tal's 15 Kt-Q2 B-B,
.name ont:he entry list as no more than a r,eserve. But the reserve player, 16 Kt-B3 Kt-Bj
winning game after game on the fourth board, became the highest point 17 QR-QI Q-K2
scorer, not only in the Soviet team but in the whole tournament. He had a 18 B-Ktj!
90 per cent score, obtaining 13 1/2 points out of 15 without defeat. As a member
of tihe winning team, he became the owner of an Olympic gold medal. The The attack on the KP has given White tim,'
chess Olympics are a severe test of endurance owing to their intensely crowded to build up an attack on the king. Had
programme. Tal took this in his stride, his peculiar qualities proving ideal White been forced to play 18 B-BI here, so
in such a situarion. In his series of victories he used up only a smaH part of the as to defend his QKtP, Black would have
time on his clock, and in so compressed a programme this feature of his play had nothing to worry about. B·lt now if
proved to be one against which there was no antidote. 18 ...• KtxP; 19 BxB, QxB; 20 R-Qz,
Kt-Bj; 21 BxKt, PxB; 22 QxKP, White
GAME 32 B-Kt, P-Q3 recovers his pawn with advantage owing
7
8 0-0 to Black's damaged pawn skeleton. Even in
P-B3
Everything in the right place is a rule P-KR3 Kt-Q2 this variation the rook on Black's QKtl
9
well exemplified in Tal's next game. With 10 P-Q4 Kt-Kt3 serves no useful purpose.
a neat blending of strategy and tactics he II B-K 3 R-KtI
18 P-Kt> Now this is very strong, since 28 ... ,
gains time to prepare a K-side attack bv
19 BxB QxB Q-Q7; would be answered by 29 Q-B~
threatening the KP on move 14. With an Black's system of defence occurred in the
Tal-Panna game, where II . . . , PxP; was 20 Q-R6 Q-K2 mate. Black must defend his KKtP.
exchange of rooks Darga halts the attack
on his king but in the process weakens played with the continuation 12 PxP, Kt-R4;
13 B-B2, P-QB4. Darga's move is too acti· If Q-Kt2, White leads into an advan- 28 P-KKtj
his pawn structure. Tal then breaks up the
ticial to be an improvement. The idea i, tageous ending by 21 QxQ ch, KxQ; 22 2y BxKt PxB
pawns winning one of them and quickly
that after Kt-Bj his rook will be on an R-K2, P-KB3; 2, Kt-KT. with Kt-Q3- B j 30 K-R2! K-KtI
finishes off the game in a Q ending.
open file if White takes the knight, but to follow. 31 Q-Rjl Q-Q7
such moves are only good when the intend-
RUY LOPEZ 21 R-Q,!
ed line cannot be avoided by the opponent He cannot avoid the loss of a pawn, for
TAL DARGA without disadvantage. Otherwise, as here, Now if KtxP; 22 Kt-Ktj. He stops that it 3' .... Q-Q8; JZ Q-K8 ch, wins the
P-K4 P-K4 they simply lose time. \Vhite at once turns threat but only at the cost of a severe KBP. nor has Black any hope of perpetual
2 Kt-KB, Kt-QB3 the game into a different channel by devel- weakening of his pawn structure. check.
,B-Ktj P-QR, oping an attack on the black KP.
4 B-R4 Kt-B, ,, Kt-R-l F-Kq Jl QxKtP eh K-BI
j 0-0 B-K2 12 PxPI KtxP 2, Kt-Bj BxKt 33 P-B,! QxKtP
6 R-KI P-QKt4 13 KtxKt PxKt 2~ PxB K-Rr 14 OxP Q-KB7

Hz
 8 0-0 If 17 P-QKt4, QxKt; 18 QxKt, P-QR4; 19 Allowing Black to recover his piece and
9 Kt-QB4 Kt-QR4! Q-Kt2, Q-K5 ch; 20 Kt-K" PxP. come out two pawns up. But against the
10 Kt-B4? threats of R-Kt8 and R-Kt6 the only al-
17 P-Q R 4 ternative was 28 K-B2, and then 28 ....
Although this move must bc queried, its 18 KtxRP QxKt P-K6 chi; followed either by 29 RxP,
fault is by no means obvious. 19 QxKt BxKt QxP ch; or by 29 K-B3, Q-Kj ch.
20 PxB QxP ch
21 R-B3 28 RxB
29 R-B8 Q-Ktl ch
If 21 Q-B3, Q-K5 ch; 22 Q-K" Q-Kt8 ch. 30 K-RI RxR
3I QxR ch K-Kt2
21 (J-KI ch PxP RPxP
32
22 B-K2 RxP P-B\
33 Q- KB3!
The complications so far have not only 34 QxP Q-- K 4!
35 K-R,! Resigns
cost White a pawn but have prevented his Resigns
He loses more material, and if he tries for castling.
perpetual check by Q-Kt8, Tal simply GAME 34
plays 36 QxBP, P-KR4; 37 Q-Q8 ch, and 23 P-B3 Q-R5 chi
38 Q-Q2. 24 P-Kt3 Q-QKt 5 Tal chooses an active defence against
25 P-Kt4 Lago's English Opening and with both
10 players playing sharply there are open KB
A violent and desperate. effort to create
GAME 33 chances in a lost position, but he merely
and KKt files after the 13th move. But
Dtiving the knight where it wants to go whereas Black's initiative develops well
anyway and weakening the square it wants gives Tal the opportunity of reverting to
Walther with the white pieces played to on the KB file, the other file is no use to
to occupy! Of a similar move Dr. Tarrasch combinative play.
get a close game but only succeeded for a White. Tal wins a couple of pawns by
very short time. His roth move looked as once wrote that it could only be played by some neat tactical turns and wins an ending
if it fitted in with his plan, but Tal im- a rabbit or a genius. Here it is explained where he is a pawn ahead in the simplest
by a combinative turn. II KtxKP, is no good manner.
mediately observed its drawbacks and fell
because of II . . . , R-KI.
upon his opponent with unbounded feroci-
ty. Complications at once resulted and Tal II Kt-Qj KtxP! ENGLISH OPENING
very soon held an advantage which he 12 QxKt LAGO TAL
maintained with a series of witty tactical
manoeuvres and indeed increased up to a Or 12 KtxKt, QXKt(Q4); 13 B-Q B4, Q_QI; P-QB4 P-K4
point where he could force the mate. [4 QxKt, QxKt. Kt-Q B3 Kt-KB3
Kt-B3 P-Q3
12 Kt-Kt6 4 P-KKr, P-KKt3
SICILIAN DEFENCE [3 R-R3 5 B-Kt2 B-Kt2
6 P-Q3 0-0
WALTHER TAL Naturally not 13 R-Ktl, B-B4. ..,, B-Q2
25 Kt-R4
P-K4 P-Q B4 [3 D-B4 8 Q-Bt P-KB 4
Kt-K2 Kt-KB3 An obvious move since after 25 PxB, PxP; B-R6 Kt-Q B3
14 Q-K3 KtxB 'J
3 P-Q3 Kt-B3 he recovers the piece with advantage. Its 10 BxB KxB
15 QxBP
4 Kt-Q2 P-Q4 attractiveness lies in the fact that Tal is
going to leave. the bishop en prise after White has spent four moves exchanging
5 P-Q B3 P>.P No better is 15 QxKt, QxKt; [6 Kt-K3.
White's reply. Black's KB, which helps him little in a
6 PxP P-KKtj Q-K 5; 17 P-B3, Q-KB5!
position where his pieces are not placed for
7 Q-Bl n-Kt2
[I R-KI 26 P-B 4 R-R7! an attack on the king's wing. Black, who
8 P-QR4
[6 Q-K, 13-XBI [ 27 PxB HxP has made better use of the time, is now
The natural preparation for Kt-QB4. 17 Kt-Kt4 28 0-0 ready to take the initiative.
 JI Kt-Qj P-B\ 1\ splendid move! If White now tries to 29 K-B2 R-B7 ch they have one factor in common and that
12 Q-B3 B-K, save his bishop by 19 BxP, then 19 .... 30 K-BI P-R, is an almost phenomenal elegance. There
I, KlxKBP? R-K7 ch; 20 K-QI, R-R7 dis. chi; 21 31 Kt-Kti is a story that Capablanca, having made
KoOBI. RxR ch; 22 BxR, Q-B8 ch; 23 his move in a tournament game, strolled
The opening of the KB and KKt files K-B2 (not K-Q2, Q-K7 ch; 24 K-BI, 31 KtxP, is just as useless since the KRP is round the room. He looked at the position
which follows this move only help Black Q-Q8 mate), QxR; coming OUt the untenable. [n another game and whispered to a spec-
who finds a good target on White's KB2 ey.change up since 24 BxR, IS impossible tator what he considered the best move.
whereas White has no such target on the 31 R-Bj
because of Q-Q8 mate. Afterwards this particular move was only
KKt file. True, he gets a foothold on his 32 Kt-K4
found by the analysts with the utmost diffi-
KKtj but Black does not even have to take IbB! culty. Tal equally considers the most diffi-
Qny steps to counter him. 7() o-o~o Q-Bj ch cult combinations with the greatest rapidity
I, KtxKr
21 K-Ktl QxP1 and hardly ever gets into time trouble. Un-
believable as it may seem, he selected the
14 PxKt RxP l1e is actually simplifying! If now 22 KtxR,
continuation stemming from the pawn sac-
Ii P-KR4 Q-B, QxQ: 23 PxQ. BxKt,
rifice on move 14 in the following game
\6 Kt-Kt;?
22 QxQ PxQ after no more than a few seconds' thought,
Attractive because he can answer 16, 2\ KR-Ktl and spent scarcely half an hour over the
RxBP; with 17 Kt-K4. But after Tal's near whole game.
and vigorous reply he gets the worst of
it. SICILIAN DEFENCE
BENT TAL
B-B61 P-K 4 P-Q B4
P-Q B4
A perfect piece of end-game technique.
When the knight moves, the bishop will be Trying for a close game and at the same
defending the QKtP, thus preventing White time to avoid the "book." The move, how-
from obtaining a passed QBP. There is no ever, unnecessarily weakens his Q.. and
hurry to take the KRP. gives Tal the chance of seizing an early
initiative.
33 KtxP K-R4
R-Kt6! ,4 R-Ktj ch KxP 2 Kt-QB,
,5 R-Ks P-KR4 3 Kt-Q B3 Kt-B,
Another neat tactical turn which forces the 36 P-B; P-KKt4 4 P-Q,
exchange of one pair of rooks. White re- n Kt-Bi ch RxKt!
Kt-05' He clearly has no intention of trying to play
covers a pawn but he cannot hold his KRP
The simplest way. the usual P-Q4, unlike his opponent vrhll
and then the passed K-side pawns must
An unexpected turn, inviting a pawn fork gets the move in as quickly as possible.
".'in. ,8 RxR K-Kti
and then after 17, .. , RxBP; 18 Kt-K4.
39 R-B8 P-R 5 P,-K,
again. RxR B::R 4
" 40 R-Q8 P-R6 P-Q4
2i KoOBI B- R4 41 RxP ch K-Kt6
17 P-Kl RxBP' K..-KKtl
26 Kt-K6 ch K-·R, Resigns
,S PxKt 2: KtxBP This is not to be reckoned as loss of time,
since he has induced White to change his
He sees that Kt-K4 is no good now be- At least Black is going to have two weak GAME 35 pawn structure and can now aim the knigh~
cause of 18, .. , R-K7 ch; 19 K-QI, qceen's pawns. at KB4,
Q-BI!; 20 PxKt. RxB, Though the styles of play of Capablanca
27 RoOKBl and Tal are extreme opposites, the former 7 Kt-B, Kt-K2
18 B-Kt5 ' 28 Kt-K6 H-B8 ch seeking simplicity and the latter complexity, 8 B-K2 Kt-B4

86
 9 0-0 B-Kz Closing the Q file at least. But now the z6 Kt-B7 35
10 Q-KI 0-0 passed pawn becomes strong and it is in- Z7 R-QKtl KR-QI
II Kt-QI structive to see how Tal increases his posi- z8 B-Qz Q-Q5 The coup de grace! White's final throw
tional advantage. i, already discounted.
Z9 B-B, Q-Q4
Black already has an advantage in that his P-Q7
30 R-B3 36 RxP ch K-BI
pieces are poised for action while White is PxKt PxP
31 P-BI 37 QxKt Q-R8 ch
having to indulge in awkward regrouping. Kt-Q4 Kt-K8
3z QxP 38 K-K2 Q-K8 mate
Tal now opens the Q file and starts to use
direct tactical threats. The passed pawn plays its part at last!

II P"PI
IZ PxP Kt-Ktl!
GAME 36
13 Q- B3 Kt-Q5!
14 B-Q3
Tal's game against Milev cannot but im-
14 KtxKt, PxKt; 15 Q-Qz (Q-QKt3, P-Q6; press. Milev dawdled over his develop-
16 B-B3, P-Q7), P-Q6; 16 B-B3, Q-Q5 ch; ment and his king got left in the centre.
[7 Kt-K3, Kt-B7; 18 R-Ktl, B-B4; would
As in his game against Fiister, Tal con-
be favourable to Black. Black's natural an- solidated this situation with a remarkably
swer to the text-move is 14 ... , P-QKt3; deep piece sacrifice and then hustled his
but Tal chooses a more complicated and opponent to his doom in only twenty
risky line, involving a pawn sacrifice, and Black's great positional advantage is ob- moves.
selects it moreover almost instantaneously; vious. As there is no chance of an end-
Zl game, the passed white pawns are of nO
value. Black's last move starts a decisive TARRASCH DEFENCE
The opening of the QR file will increase
attack on the king and especially on KKt7.
Black's advantage.
If White now tries 33 Kt-K" Black can TAL MILEV
play 33 ••. , QxR!; 34 PxQ, KtxP!; and P-Q B4 P-Q B4
zz Q-Kz
the following interesting variations all win 2 Kt-QB3 Kt-Q B3
There is no help in zz PxP, QBxP; Z3 BxB, for Black: I. 35 Q-B4, Kt-Kt4 dis. ch; 36 3 Kt- B 3 Kt-B3
RxB; because of the following continua- Kt-Ktz, P-Q8 = Q ch; 37 RxQ, RxR ch; 4 P-K3 P-K,
tions: I. Z4 K-RI, Q-B5; and Z5 ... , 38 B-BI, Kt-R6; 39 Q-Bj, P-Kt3! 5 P-Q4 P-Q4
KR-BJ. II. Z4 Q-Q3 (or Kz), Kt-Kt5! III. II. 35 Q-R3, B-B4!
lII. 35 Q-R5, P-Kt3; 36 Q-R3, B-B4! A solid version of the Tarrasch Defence
24 Kt-Bz, Kt-K6.
which can be traced right back to the days
33 R-Kt3 KtxP
of Staunton. It is a variation with a great
2Z p}.P H K-Ktl B-B4 ch
deal of hidden tension, which is all that
z3 BxP Q-Kt3 35 K-BI
K-RI Tal asks of an opening, a phase of the
14 '" 24 Kt-Ktl
game in which he rarely tries to disprove his
25 P-QR4
Giving the game a typical Tal twist. opponent's play.
If Z5 Kt-B2, then 25.·., KR-BI; and 6 PxQP KKtxP
II PxP B-Ktz 2(, ... , R-B7.
7 B-B4
16 B-B4 Kt-Q4
The analysts are still divided between the
17 Q-Qz Kt-Kq 25 1-'-Q6'
merits of this and 7 B-Q3.
26 Q-Kt4
Black is now calling the tune. 7 Kt-Kt,?
Nut z6 BxP, KtxB; 27 QxKt, R-R3. So
18 B-Kz Q-Bz White goes in for a counter-demonstration, Neglecting his development in an attempt
19 KtxKt ['ut it has no weight in it. to get out of the book.

88
 8 B-Ktl P-QR~? The modern and more active continuation is much good because of the weakness of the
9 BxKt ch PxB \ ... , B-Ktl, but the old-fashioned line white squares which will allow White a
[0 0-0 B-Kt2 IS sound enough. decisive attack before Black can get his king
lway by artificial castling. Probably best
6 B-QB4 B-K2? was 12 ... , P-QKt3; though Black is lost
anyw8y.
This is where Black makes his mistake,
after which he is at once under a grave J3 Kt-B, 8-B2
disadvantage. Correct was 6 ... , B-K,; 7
BxB, PxB; 8 Q-Kt3, Q-BI; 9 Kt-KKt5, Equally if 13 ... , B-Q2; 14 Kt-Q4, K-Bz:
Kt-QI; and now White has a job to prove II Q-Rj ch, P-Kt;; 16 Q-B; ch, and wins.
the soundness of his pawn sacrifice, the
14 Kt-Q4 Q-BI
best continuation, according to Lasker,
1\ KtxR QxKt
being 10 P-Kj!
18 KR-Kr! 16 Kt-B\ P-QKt,
Q-Kt, Kt-R4 17 Q-B; B-B,
There are two pieces blocking the rook's
BxP ctl K-BI 18 Q-KKt; Kt-K2
control of the file and one of them i;
'J Q- R4 KxB 19 QxP K-KI
,.ttacked, yet in spite of that the occupation
10 QxKt 20 B-R6 R-Ku
of the file quickly decides the issue. Black
From now every move of White's be- 21 QR-QI Q-BI
can hardly play 18 ... , PX'Kt; because of Two bishops arc no compensation to Black
comes a threat and Black has no time to 19 QxKP ch, Q-K2; 20 Q-Q3!, R-QI; 21
castle. for his having tbe poorer development, loss
Q-Kt~. or if 19 ... , B-K2; 20 B-B5, and
of the centre and inability to ~astle.
wins.
II Kt-Q2
12 Q-B2 Q-Kt~
10 B-K,
18 K-QI II 0-0 K-BI
I, Kt-KI! 19 Q-Kt3 P-Q B4
The positional move I~ B-Q2, was also Tal's handling of the game has completely
strong, but Tal chose the text without hesi- shattered Milev's morale, otherwise he
tation. would at least have tried 19 ... , K-BI:
PxP? which promised a longer resistance.
20 KtxP Resigns
I, ... , KtxKt; 14 PxKt, might have been
slightly better, though his game would still
have been untenable owing to the weakness GAME 37 22 BxP KtxKt
of the doubled QBP and of the square Q3. 2, PxKt B-K2
Milev, however, could hardly see how much Tal could have won the following game 24 KR-KI B-K,
mare trouble he was going to be caused just as easily if it had occurred in a simul- 2\ RxB RxB
by the move chosen. taneous display. Black's decisive mistake 26 P-B6 Resigns
was made as early as the 6th move.
14 KtxKt KxKt 12 Kt-Q5! Quite a sparkling little ending.
II PxP K-KI
16 B-K, Q-B2
SCOTCH GAMBIT A winning move already!
GAME 38
17 P-Qll TAL RUSSELL 12 P--B,
The break-in by this and the next move is P-K4 P-K4 Tal's game with Golombek was excel-
remarkable even among Tal's range of com- 2 Kt-KB, Kt-Q B3 Hoping that the knight will be subject to lently contrived, and exemplified his diverse
3 P-Q4 p};p an awkward pin if it goes to QB7, but Tal genius. First he surprised his opponent
binations.
4 P-B, PxP solves this little problem with his usual with a rare move right at the start, then
17 KPxP I KtxP P-Q3 elegance. Nor was I2 . . . , BxKt; I, PxB, he exerted his influence over the whole

91
width of the board, preventing castling side, and after the next move he starts ut· a target. In such situations mistakes easily
first on one side then on the other, and tering similar threats on the other wing. occur.
finally he drove out the king with a grand
sacrificial conception till he met his fate in 10 P--Q R 4 22
mid-board. II Kt-Kt; B-Kt;
12 B-B2' Weakening the black squares still further
and giving up all ideas of castling.
CARO-KANN DEFENCE
Forestalling the development of any attack
TAL GOLOMBEK on his QP by Kt-B4. Now Black has to 2; Kt-B6 chI
P-K4 P-QB; deploy his knight via Q4 wbich upsets the
2 P-Q4 P-Q4 co-ordination of his pieces and leaves him Showing that Black is in range of his guns.
P-Kj with one knight disadvantageously placed It is quite delightful to watch how the
on QKt;. combinative attack is forced through.
30 R-B4! PxKt
Not theoretically the strongest, but it poses
12 BxB 23 BxKt ;1 RxRP!
problems which are less well known, and
I; QxB Kt(K2)-Q4 24 PxB K-BI
it is typical of Tal to accept a risk for the The objective must now be attained.
sake of complications. Faced with the difficult problem of whether
to capture the QP or not, Black rightly Not 24 ... , 0-0; 2j KtxP. RxR
31
; B-B4 decides against it. After 13... QxP; 14 32 Q- K 17 ch K-KI
25 Kt-K4 P-R5?
4 P-Q B4 B-K3, Q-QKtj (Q-QI; 12 Q-Kt3); 1\ 33 Q-Kt8 ch K-Qz
R-R3, Kt(K2)-Q4; 16 R-Kt;, KtxB; I7 ;4 QxP ch K-Q3
Relatively better was Kt-Q4.
Bogolyubov's move, which was also used PxKt, Q-B4; 18 Q-B2, with a winning 35 Q-K7 ch Resigns
by Alekhine. Alekhine considered 3 P-Kj, position for White. Q-BI
to be playable only if White continues dyna. It is mate by 35 ... , K-Q4; 36 QxBP ch,
mically with the text. Now Black will only 14 Kt(B;)-K4 K-Kj; ;7 Q-Kj.
do himself a disservice by winning a pawn
with 4 ... , BxKt; j RxB, Q-R4 ch; 6 Avoiding a freeing exchange for Black and
beginning to regroup for action on the GAME 39
B-Q2, QxP.
K side. If now 14 ... , B-K2; he has either
H B-Ktj, or 15 Kt-QBj.
In this game Tal does not create com-
4 P-K;
plications but after surprising his opponent
j Kt-QB; PxP?
14 Kt-Kt\ with a valuable opening novelty reaches
And Tal already reaps the benefit of his Ij Q-K2 Kt(Kt3)-Q4 an end-game with weaknesses in his oppo-
;t'd and 4th moves, since Black now mi.- nent's position. On the zoth move he wins
If 15 ... , QxP; then 16 B.:..K;, Q-Ql; I7 a pawn and exploits his advantage with
judges the position. He hopes to exploit the
Q-Kt4, threatening 18 Kt-R\, would be technically perfect end-game play.
backward QP, but Tal shows that the pawn
strong.
is not weak as Black cannot successfully
try an attack on it. Indeed, Black is the P-KKtj KING'S INDIAN DEFENCE
16 P-B4
loser because he gives up the centre. Better B-K2
17 R-R; 27 P-B5! BERTHOLDT TAL
would have been j ... , Kt-K2; and if 6 B-Q2 Kt-B7
18
P-Bj, P-QKt;. P-Q4 Kt-KB;
19 R-Q3 Kt(Q4)-Ktj
Starting the mating attack which is beauti- 2 P-QB4 P-KKt3
20 BxKt KtxB
6 BxP Kt-K2 fully carried out. The first objective is KKt7. ; Kt-QB3 B-Kt2
21 R(Q3)-QI R-QI
7 KKt-K2 Kt-Q2 which he occupies 10 five moves after a 4 P-K4 P-Q3
22 K-Rd double piece sacrifice.
8 0-0 Kt-QKt; \ B-K2 0-0
9 B-Kt; Q-Q2
A good waiting move. The king is removed
6 P-B4 P-B4
10 P-QR4 1 27 KtPxP 7 Kt-B; PxP
from possible disturbing checks, while Black 28 Q-K; P-Kt; 8 KtxP Kt-B;
Warning Black not to castle on the queen's in a constricted position cannot easily find Q-Ktj R-R2
29 9 B-K; B-Kt5

93
A striking improvement on the older 9 ... , 17 BxB GAME 40 II D-K1.
11. K-Ktl P-Ktj
Kt-KKtj.
Tal's combinative power and positional
10 KtxKt Black wins a pawn by exploiting the po appreciation are as effective in defence as
s~tion of the rook on Qj.
Or 10 Kt-B3, after which IO ••• , P-K4!; in attack. This is excellently shown in his
is Black's best reply (Uhlmann-Geller, game against Lokvenc. The latter sacrificed
Dresden, 19j9). 18 RxB Kt- B4 a piece under duress on the 13th move and
19 R-QKtr Kt-K3 against the resulting attack Tal defended
10 BxB 1.0 R-Q1. KtxP ch himself with perfect calm for Z4 moves
II KtxQ BxQ 1.1 K-K3 Kt-K3 while his material advantage increased to
IZ RxB 21. Kt-Q5 R-R4 a rook. By the;6th move it was time for
1.3 R-R1. Kt-BJ. his coumer-attack and the issue was then
An attempt to win a pawn would not turn
24 KtxKt RxKr decided in no more than five moves.
out well. For example, I. KtxKtP, B-B7·
1.j P-R\ R-B4
Or II. KtxBP, B-Ktj; 13 Kt-KKtj.
P-KR3!; 14 Kt-B3, BxKt; Ij PxB, KR-BI!;
1.6 K-Q4 R(KI)--QBI SICILIAN DEFENCE
16 P-Kj, PxP; 17 PxP. Kt-Qz; 18 Kt-Qj,
27 R-KBI P- B4
LOKVENC TAL 13 Kt-Qj
K-Bz; 19 P-B4, RxP. Or again III. I! P-K4 P-QB4
KtxBP, RxKt; 13 RxB, Kt-Ktj; 14 K-Kz, Having blockaded White's Q-side pawns, 1. Kt-KB3 P-Q3 The sacrifice is forced since if I; Kt(B3)-K1.,
R-QBI. All these variations are good fOI Black begins to mobilize his K-side mn- 3 P-Q4 PxP KtxP! Black is now very much on the
Black. jOlity. 4 KtxP Kt-KB3 defensive.

KRxKr 28 R-KI 1'-K4 ch 6

j Kt-QB3
B-Ktj
P-Q R3
QKt-Qz
I, PxKt
P-Q R3 B-QB4 14 Kt-Bj B-XBI
29 K-K3 K-B! 7 Q-R4
8 Q-Q1. Ij PxP Q- Kt3
Preparing a Q-side attack by QR-BI and 30 R-KBr K-K3 P·oK3
0-0-0 r6 KR-KI ch K-QI
after White's P-QKt3, P-QKq at a 31 R-QI P-R4 9
R-Qr 17 R-Kl R-BI!
suitable moment. 3z K-Q3
PxP This move has now been largely super-
H K-K3
QR-BI seded by 9 0-0, which is much safer
14 P-QR4 34 KxP 1'-Q4 ch
Ij B-Kt6? since after the text-move Black can start
an energetic action on the Q side.
A poor move. P-QKt3 was better. This decides the game, for now Black',
extra pawn makes its weight increasingly 9 P-Kt4
Ij R-KI £CIt. 10 B-Kn B-Ktz
16 P-QKt3 Kt-QJ.
I7 B-Q4 10 ... , P-Ktj; would be too precipitate
3j K-K\ R-Q2 because of II Kt-Qj!, PxKt (KtxP; I!
,6 R-QBI P>.P QxP); 12 Kt-B6, and 13 PxP.
37 PxP R-Qj
38 R-R4 R-B! II P-B3
39 R-Kq K-B 4
40 R-BI ch R-Bi Now P-Ktj was a real threat. He could
41 RxR ch PxR ch play II KR-KI, because then II . . . Now Black is able in effect to castle and
41. K-Q4 P-KKq P-Ktj; yields no advantage owing to I! with his king in safety he ensures the fail-
43 R-Kt6 P-Xtl Kt-Qj, PxKt (KtxP; 13 KtxKP1, KtxQ, ure of White's attack.
44 R-R6 R-Q1. ch 14 Kt (Qj)-B7 ch); 13 PxP dis. ch, K-QI;
45 KoOBI 1'-RG 14 Kt-B6 ch, BxKt; Ij PxB, Kt-K4; 16 18 R(QI)-KI K-B2
46 PxP PxP Q-B4. Black's best reply would be II . . . , 19 B-K, Kt-B4
47 RxP ch K--KtI R-BI!; threatening RxKt, and then White 1.0 B-Q4 K-Ktl
Re~gns
would still have to play P-B3. ZI Kt-K, KtxB

9j
94
 22 RPxKt Q-Kt4 3 P-Q4 PxP
23 Kt-B4 KtxP 4 KtxP Kt-KB 3
24 B-B2 B-B3 j Kt-QB3 P-Q R3
2j Q-Q4 R-B2 6 B-Ktj P-K3
26 B-Kq K-Rl 7 P- B4 P-R3
27 B-B2 R-KtJ 8 B-R4 Q- Kt 3
28 Q- R4 Kt-B3 9 Kt-Kt3
29 Q-B4 P-R3
R-Q2 Kt-Q4 By no means the strongest. 9 Q-Q2, which
30
RxKt is strong in some variations, has had the
31
sting taken out of it by Black's interpolation
A vain attempt to infuse new life Into of P-KR3. But White could play 9 R-QKtI,
his attack. Kt-B3; 10 B-Bz, with support for his Q4·
Or there is 9 P-QR3, after which 9···.
31 BxR
QxP?; loses against 10 Kt-QR4. Finally he
32 Kt-Kt6 ch K-Ku
could try 9 Q-Q3, leading to a very
33 Q-Q4 B-K3
complicated position.
34 Kt- B4 K-KtI
3j KtxP BxKt 9 Q-K6 ch
36 QxB Q-B3 10 B-Kz QxBP
His careful defence now starts to bear fruit Correct. If 10 • . . , KtxP; II KtxKt, QxKt:
and the counter-attack begins. 120-0, with a powerful attack.
37 QxP ch K-Rl Q-K6
II B-Kt3
38 Q-Q2 R(KtI)-QBI
lZ BxP Kt-B:
39 P-Q B4 B-B4 ch
13 BxB
40 K-R2 R-Ku
41 Q-Rj B-B7 Forced, since 13 R-KBr, with the inten-
Res<igns tion of stepping up the attack, proves un-
satisfactory after 13 ... , KtxP; 14 KtxKt,
GAME 41 QxKt; Ij BxB, RxB; 16 K-B2, Kt-K4;
and White has insufficient compensation
Tal is a past master at percelvIllg, cre- for the pawn.
ating and exploiting even the most minute
advantage. In his game against Fichtl he 13 RxB
was unable to escape a major simplifica· 14 Q-Qz
tion and Fichtl's game looked as though
it could well be saved, for though his Better was 14 Q-Q3, QxQ; Ij PxQ, so as
pawns on QKt3 and Kj were weak, he had not to allow the KP to be isolated or to
a protected passed pawn. By exploiting the gIVe the black knight a free post on. his
f6rces of Zugzwang, Tal led into a queen K4.
ending in which his extra pawn brought QxQ ch
14
him the desired win. B-Qz
Ij KxQ
16 K-K3 0-0-0
SICILIAN DEFENCE Kt-K 4
17 QR-Ql
FICHTL TAL 18 P-KR3 B-BJ
P-K4 P-QB4 19 Kt-Rj K-Bz
Kt-KBJ P-Q3 zo KtxB KxKt
After the victory
 21 RxR RxR
22 R-QI RxR
23 KtxR K-B4
24 P-B3 P-QR4

Starting a vigorous minority attack which

results in White securing a protected
passed pawn but having a weak pawn on
QKt3·

25 P-QKtj P-QK t4
26 P-R~ P- Kt5
27 BPxP ch PxP
White can no longer prevent Black from
28 P-QR4 K-Kt3
getting a passed QKtP, but this is not
29 Kt-Kt2 Kt(B~)-Q2
dangerous immediately as he cannot coun-
3° B-Kt5 Kt-B4
ter-attack White's QRP. However, a good
31 Kt-B4 ch KtxKt
triangulation manoeuvre changes the situ-
32 BxKt Kt-Kt2
ation in Black's favour.

Beginning an instructive knight manoeuvre. 42

43 K-Q4
33 K-Q4 Kt-R4
34 P-K5 Kt-B3 ch Now White's next move is forced, since
35 K-K4 K-B4 if 44 K-Q3, K-B4; wins a pawn. Thus
36 B-K2 Kt-Q5 Black has put himself in a position to at-
tack the QRP.

Now the knight attacks the QKtP from

44 K-K4 KtxB
the centre so that the bishop is tied to its
45 PxKt K-R4
defence. Then, with White's king be- P-Kt6
46 P-B5
coming increasingly restricted, the K-side KxP
47 K-Q3
majority can start to move. 48 P-B6 K-R6
49 P-B7 P-Kt7
37 B-B4 P-R4 5° K-B2 K-R7
38 P- Kt4 PxP 51 P-B8=Q P-Kt8=Q ch
39 PxP P-K t 4
40 K-K3 Kt- B3 The queen ending with an extra pawn is
a sure, if slow, win.
The shift of the knight to QR4 is not a
52 K-Q2 Q-Kt] ch
fign of hesi tation but the means of exploit-
53 K-Q3 Q-Kt4 ch
ing a position that has been changed by
54 K-Q2 Q-Q4 ch
the last few moves. A Zugzwang theme
55 K-B2 Q--K5 ch
makes its appearance.
56 K-Q2 Q-Kt] ch

He could have played QxKP now as he

does five moves later.

97
 57 K-Q3 Q-Kt6 ch 70 K-KtI P-K4 THE XXVhH CHAMPIONSHIP OF THE U. S. S. R.
j8 K-B2 Q-Kt6 ch 71 K-R2 Q-Kt6 eh
j9 K-Q2 Q-Q4 ch 72 K-RI Q-K8 ch
60 K-B2 Q-Kj ch 73 K-R2 P-Ktj
61 K-Q2 QxKP 74 Q-B4 ch Q-Kj
7j Q-B7 ch K-K6
He is forced to give up the idea of taking
a pawn with check. 76 K-Ktl Q-Qj
77 K-Kt2 Q-Kj ch
62 Q-R6 ch K-Kt6 78 K-Ktl Q-B6
63 Q-Kt7 ch K-Bj 79 Q-K6 Q-Q8 eh That the young master from Riga was the darling of the public was men-
64 QxP Q-Qj ch 80 K-Kt2 Q-K7 ch tioned in our notes to an earlier Championship. Since then he reached grandmas-
6j K-Kl QxP 81 K-Kt~ Q-B6 ch ter rank but still remained favourite with his many fans. Though the public
66 Q-BI en K-Qj 82 K-R4 P-Kj invariably enjoy watching the downfall of an idol, and he was a likely winner
67 Q-B2 ch K-Kj 83 Q-Kt6 ch K-K7 of the XXVlth Championship, his popularity was in no way diminished. What
68 Q-B2 ch K-Bj 84 Q-B7 P-K6 is the secret of his attraction to the chess public? Observing his slender, dark-
69 K-B2 Q-B6 en Resigns
haired figure, one can sense the nervous tension III his every movement and see
the joy of battle light up his eye. He has all the appearance of the revolution-
ary and his followers revel in the way he falls upon even the greatest of his
rivals, hazarding all in his efforts to overthrow them.
If coming events cast their shadows before them. it is certain that his suc-
cesses in the XXVlth Championship were the forerunners of greater things.

GAME 42 Bronstein has often played White against

the Tchigorin Defence and confessed that
Bronstein was of the opinion that he had he fancied playing it as Black here.
"solved" the secret of Tal's style: "He
plays quickly because he does not like 6 R-KI P-QKq
strategical innovations in the opening. He 7 B-Kt3 P-Q3
likes to select a practical opening so as to 8 P-B3 0-0
start a correct attack. In this way he con- 9 P-KRJ Kt-Q R4
serves his energy." Bronstein is himself 10 B-B2 P-B4
something of a revolutionary, having II P-Q4 Kt-BJ
reached the highest rank through his own 12 QKt-Q2 Q-Kt3
peculiar ideas and exceptional depth. The
following game between the two men is Konstantinopolsky's idea. The aim is to pur
a real joy to watch. pressure on White's KB2 and on the centre
so as to force White to commit himself.
thus easing Black's defensive problem. The
RUY LOPEZ drawback of the move is that the queen
finds herself rather removed from the de-
TAL BRONSTEIN
fence against any K-side attack that White
P-K4 P- K4 ma y succeed in organizing.
2 Kt-KB3 Kt-QBJ
3 B-Ktj P-Q R3 13 PxBP P"P
4 B-R4 Kt- B3 14 Kt-BI B-K 3
j 0-0 B-K2 Ij Kt-KJ QR-QI

99
 [6 Q-Kz P-Kt3 Z[ PxKt. PxP; 2Z Kt-Q5. BxKt; Z3 PxB, least a good proof of the fact that Tal does
17 Kt-Kt5 P-B5! P-Q6; Z4 QxB, PxB; Z5 B-K3! (not Kt-K6 not attack in the va banque style of the
dl, K-KtI). PxR=Q; z6 BxQ, Q-B4; Z7 18th century but in the controlled and func-
This normal advance is here a token of Kt-K6 ch. Black no doubt also considered tional manner of a modern romantic. He
great tension beneath the surface. White can these lines and accordingly selected a bet- seems to expect a simple end-game to
nuw hardly play KtxB because of the heavy ter move. emerge from the complications and to anti-
pressure which would develop against his 20 Kt-QR4 cipate that after passing the maelstrom of
KB2. Nor can he step up his attack by 18 2[ Kt-B3 Q-B2 combinative play he will reach terra firma
Q-B~. because of 18 ...• P-R3; 19 KtxB. Z2 Kt-Q5 BxKt beyond.
PxKt; zo Kt-Kt4. and it is Black whose
chances are improved. Better than Z2 • •• , KtxKt; 23 PxKt, BxQP;
24 KtxP, with the threats of Kt-Kt4 and SICILIAN DEFENCE
It is a characteristic of Tal's play that he
co-ordinates operations over the whole of Q- K 3· TAL POLUGAEVSKY
the board and in his present dilemma thi, 23 PxB KR-Kr! R- K 5, B-QI; 33 R-R7 ch, Kt-Bz; when P-I<4 P-QB4
characteristic again asserts itself. 24 QxP QxQ Black has a difficult position. Tal, on the 2 Kt-KB3 P-Q3
25 KtxQ other hand, was concerned about the line P-Q4 PxP
3
31 R-R7, K-BI; 3z R-Kt7, B-B3; 33 RxP, KtxP Kt-KB3
Bronstein was already running short of time 4
KtxP; 34 PxKt, BxP. Actually, as Bronstein Kt-QB3
and though he had played for this very 5 P-QR3
later found, there was a third line open, 6 B-Kt5 QKt-Q2
position, he still has a difficult decision to
namely 3[ R-R7. K-R3!; 32 R-Kt7, B-B3; B-QB4
make in selecting a continuation. He set 7 Q- R4
H RxP, KtxP. After the text-move Black's 8 Q-Q2
great store by his centralized knight after P-K 3
game becomes hopeless. 0-0
KtxP and also by the threat of Kt-Kt6. 9
Immediately after the game Tal showed 29 Kt-B6 R-QBI Preferring a less well beaten track than that
that Black could have created great com- ~o QR-QI! RxKt after 9 0-0-0.
plications here by 25 ...• B-Q3; 26 B-R6 31 RxKt
ch. KxB; 27 KtxP ch. K-Kt2; 28 RxR, RxR; 9 B-Kz
29 KtxB. R-K7; 30 R-RI, RxB; 3[ RxKt. The game now plays itself.
P-Kq is hardly to be recommended because
RxKtP; with good drawing chances. Bron- of 10 B-Qj!, PxB; II Kt-B6, Q-Kt3; IZ
31 P-B3
stein. however. rejected 25 ...• B-Q3; ex- PxP. A game Mnatzakanian-Zurahov in
32 RxP P-Kq
18 P-QR4! K-Ktz! actly because of the sacrifice 26 B-R6 ch. the U. S. S. R. Championship semi-finals
~3 RxP K-B2
19 PxP PxP 25 KtxP 34 R-Kt7 R-K 3 continued 12.... Kt-K4; 13 QR-KI.
zo R-KtI 26 R-RI Kt-Kt6 35 RxR KxR B-Kt2; 14 B-K3. Q-B2; Ij P-B4. BxKt; 16
Although he saw the possibility, Bronstein 36 P-R4 R-KKtI PxKt, PxP; 17 PxB. B-K2; 18 B-Ktj,
Tal showed in subsequent analysis that tightly did not risk the interesting move n P-KB4 B-B4 ch P-Ktj; 19 Kt-Qj. (Even better was 19
this move. which was played relatively z6 ... , Kt-Ktj?! White comes out better 38 K-BI PxRP BxKt, PxKt; 20 Q-Q7 ch.) Larsen also
quickly. is in fact based on profound posi- 39 R-Ktj R-QBI came to grief against Tal with the move
after 27 PxKt. BxP; z8 R-K3. B-B4; 29
tional considerations. The more obvious 20 40 P-Bj ch K-Q3 at Portoroz
RxKt. BxR; 30 BxB.
P-QKt3. would have led to zo ...• PxP; 41 P-QKq P-R6
z7 BxKt PxB 10 QR-QI
ZI KtxB ch. PxKt; Z2 BxP. KtxP; z3 Kt- 42 RxB P-R7
Kt4. KtxQBP! (proof of the depth of z8 B-R6 chi B-B4 ch Resigns A necessary move in Black's defensive
43
Bronstein's play on his 18th move); (See diagram on page lOl) system. 0-0 would be a mistake because
Z4 B-R6 ch, K-RI; Z5 Q-Ktz, P-Kt5; of II Kt-Qj!
28 K-KtI?
26 BxR, and Black has a good game GAME 43
II KR-KI B-Qz
for the loss of the exchange. After the He should have accepted the sacrifice. but
Tal crushed Polugaevsky by a combina- 12 P-QR3!
text-move White does threaten to play in the critical position after 28.... KxB;
P-QKt~. and if Black tries the apparently z:} KtxP ch, K-Ktz; 30 KtxR. RxKt; he tion which was neither complex nor ong[- Announcing his intention to attack. The
effective zoo .. , Kt-Q5?; then Tal intended was afraid of the line 31 R-R5!, R-Ktr; 32 nal. The game, if not a great one, is at natural reply 12 ... , Kt(B3)XP; does not

100 101
work because of 13 KtxKt, QxQ; 14 BxQ, K-BI; 23 R-K6, Black's pOsitIOn, though 32 R-K4 R-QBj Nikitin is treading in Tal's footsteps. The
KtxKt; Ij RxKt, P-Q4; 16 BxQP, PxB; 17 not easy, oHers chances if he can reach an 33 R-Kj R-QB8 ch game has followed Tal-Larsen at Porto-
R-K2, K-BI; 18 B-Kt4, BxB; 19 PxB, and end-game. 34 K-R2 Resigns coz except that Tal there played II QR-Qr.
Black has little rrospects in the ending
with his weak pawns, his bad bishop and lIO QxP II Kt-K 4
his undeveloped rook. '
GAME 44
Polugaevsky attacked White's KP by
12 Q-B2 Variations on a theme ... A relationship Kt-B4·
13 P-QKt4 Kt-Rj between music and chess is well known and
12 B-QKt3 P-KKt4
long established. Andre Danican Philidor.
No better would be I, ... ,
Kt(B4)xP; '4 conductor of the French royal orchestra
13
14
B-Kt3
P- B4
B-Q2
PxP
KtxKt, QxB; Ij BxKt, PxB; 16 Kt-Bj! in the 18th century, was the greatest chess-
Ij BxP Q-B2
player of his age. Francis Erkel, who com-
14 KtxKt BxKt
posed the Hungarian national anthem and Apart from the fact that the rook is on K 1
\'urious operas, was an excellent and de- instead of QI, the game has followed Tal-
voted chess-player. In our own days, both Larsen right up to this point. Larsen now
Smyslov and Taimanov have maintained went in for the poor line Ij ... , Kt-R4?·
dose links with the world of music. Tal prepares an attack on the white king.
A kind of music pervades Tal's next game
20 QxP ch against Nikitin. It has its theme, a variation 16 Kt-B3 0-0-0
of the Sicilian Defence, played many time~ 17 K-RI KR-KtI
A. clever idea, but one which simplifies
before in diHerent orchestrations. It has its T8 B-K3
without equalizing. Equally futile was
variations, the previous game against Po-
20 ... , KR-KI; 21 BxKt, BxB; 22 R-B7
lugaevsky, one against Larsen at Portoroz White also prepares to attack the enemy
ch, K-Ktr; 23 RxP ch. Even after 20 ....
and many others. Now, with Black against king. Speed and coolness are pre-requisites
Q-Q4; White has the initiative. in such positions.
Nikitin, he plays the very variation he ren-
21 KxQ Kt-Ktj ch dered so questionable when he had White.
Ij BxKP! This might have seemed to make things 18
22 K-KtI KtxQ
23 RxKt BxB easier for Nikitin, but Tal makes this most 19 Q-Q4
A well calculated sacrifice and one of more dangerous line a glorious success, filled 20 R-K2
24 KtxB ch K-Kt3
value than many similar ones. It aims, as with boldness and charm. No one can
so many of Tal's combinations, at fixing If K-B,; 2j R(BI)-Bj. quarrel with the orchestration, while the He who hesitates is lost.
the king in the centre and so making co- queen sacrifice is delightful. Nikitin died
ordination of the black pieces difficult. 2j Kt-K6 20 R(QI)-KtI
a most beautiful death! 21 Q-R7 KtxP
Ij PxB To try and mate by R-K6 ch would be a 22 B-Kt6
mistake because of 2j ... , KxKt; 26 R-B; SICILIAN DEFENCE
16 KtxP QxP
17 Q-Q4! K-B2 ch, K-Bj; 27 K-B2, B-B3! NIKITIN TAL
18 R-QBI Q- R7 KR-KI P-K4 P-Q B4
2j
19 P-Kj! 2 Kt-KB3 P-Q3
26 R- K 3 QR-BI
R-BI B-Kt4 3 P-Q4 PxP
KtxP leads te a doubtful ending after 27
28 R-Kt3 ch K-R3 4 KtxP Kt-KB3
19 ... , KxKt; 20 R-B7, Q-K3; 21 BxKt
KtxP R-BI j Kt-QB3 P-Q R3
clJ, QxB; 22 RxB ch K-Kt3. Correctly he 29
6 B-Ktj QKt-Q2
plays to open further lines.
There was more chance of drawing by 7 B-QB4 Q- R4
19 PxP? BxR; 30 KtxR, RxKt; 31 KxB, R-K4. 8 Q-Q2 P-K,
9 0-0 P- R3
Also to be considered was QxKt, for after R-KB, 10 B-R4 B-K2
20 PxKt, BxP; 21 BxB, QxB; 22 Q-Qj ch, R-QB7 JI QR-KT

102
The complications are becoming severe, 30 KxKt P-Q4 BENONI DEFENCE 17 B-K2
and Tal only now reveals how severe! 31 R-KKt; 18 P-R5
GELLER TAL
1< t(Kj)xKt! P-Q4 Kt-KB3 Tal's plan materializes with all his pieces
P-QB4 P-B4 taking a useful part. White cannot defend
A magnificent sacrifice, which reveals that 3 P-Qj P- K3 the KP even by 19 P-B3, because afterwards
Tal has not entered the complications at 4 Kt-Q B3 PxP he would be driven back by 19 ... ,
random. The move is as much a delight j PxP 1'-Q3 Kt-Kt6. His only reply is the move chosen.
to the romantics as to the mathematicians. 6 P-K4 P-KKt3
19 BxBP Kt(B3)xKP
7 Kt-B3
23 BxQ KtxR 20 KtxKt RxKt
Avoiding the hazards of the sharper 21 RxR KtxR
The harmonious co-ordination of the black P-B4. 22 QxKt QxB
pieces is most notable.
B-Kt2 23 Q-B;)
7
24 B-Kt6 R"P 8 B-Ktj P-QR3 An error so slight as scarcely to be an
2j B-R4 Tal had to see as far ahead as this point. 9 P-Q R4 P-R3 error. But if 23 QxQ, RxQ; 24 BxQP,
Now his passed pawns decide the issue IO B-KB4 B-Ktj R-Qj !; Tal reaches an end-game where
and it is merely a question of technique. II B-K2 0-0 the issue is decided by the merest nuance
12 0-0 R-KI of a tempo. Relatively best was 23 R-R4,
31 B-Kt4
13 Q-B2 Q-B2 Q-B7; 24 QxQ, RxQ; 2j BxQP, R-Q7;
Limiting the action of the white rook.
A move that occurs in many variatIOns of 26 R-QKt4, RxQP; 27 B-B7, R-QKt4;
32P- K t4 P··K t 4 and a draw is almost certain.
the Benoni Defence. It has the advantages
33B- Kt3 P- B 4
of preventing White's P-Kj and of giving
34 P-B; K-K2 23 Q-Ktj
the queen an active role.
3jP-QR4 P-Bj 24 Q-KKt3 QxKtP
36 R-R3 Kt-Bj 14 KR-KI QKt-Q2 25 R-KI
37 PxP PxP Ij P-R;
38 K-B2 K-Q3 Kt-Q2 would have served White's purpose He has little choice but to play for a K-side
39 K-K2 P-K4 better. Black's counter-play develops quickly attack.
40 BxKt KtPxB now.
R-Kt8 chI 41 R-Rj 1'-Kj 2j Q- Kt4
2j
42P-R4 P-B6 ch Ij BxKt 26 Q-KB3 B-BI
White is afloat in a sea of troubles. Tal 43 K-QI B-Bj 16 BxB P-Bj! 27 P-R4 QxRP
prepares a winning ending out of a Resigns 28 R-Ktl P-QKt4
An energetic advance which has as its aim
succession of combinations. 29 P-Rj P-K t4
Having thought it over during the adjourn- White's KP.
30 Q-KKt; Q- R7
ment, White did not resume.
26 BxR RxB ch 31 R-QI Q- K 7
32 R-Q3 B-Kt2!
The proper and forceful method of continu-
GAME 45
ing was 26 ... , BxKt ch; 27 RxB, RxB Tal's play is an object-lesson. He gives up
ch; 28 QxR, KtxQ; for though Tal reaches Tal finds the Benoni Defence peculiarly the QP, which had no great value anyway,
the identical position, White could have suited to his style and handles it energe- and turns to a counter-attack which virtually
put a spoke in his wheel by 27 RxR. though tically in the following game against Geller. eliminates White's aggression.
even then Black has a material advan- The position is full of tension at a very
tage. 33 Q- R3
early stage and one small error gives Tal
27 QxR BxKt ch the advantage. His method of asserting this White has to change his plan. R-Q2 would
28 RxB KtxQ advantage is, however, worthy of study in be answered by 33 ... , Q-K8ch; after
29 R-B3 ch K-QI the way he forestalh every counter-move. which Black can quietly steal the bishop.

104
 33 R-B7 '1 8
K-R2 B--K4 ch
34 BxQP R-B8 ch BxB QxB ch
ZURICH TOURNAi\IENT, 1959
\9
31 K-R2 QxP 40 Q-Kt3 QxP
41 R-Q, Q-QB4
The game is lost for White. Tal now 42 Q-Kt4 Q-K4 ch
simplifies by means of mating threats. Resigns

36 R-KB3 Q-Kt8 ch For after 43 P-Kt3, B-B7 chi 44 K-R,.

37 K-Kt'l Q-K8 ch Q-K,; Black has a winning ending.

Just as at Munich the year before, Tal turned out to be the unexpected
success of the tournament. The Swiss organizers had originally asked Botvinnik
to compete in this their Jubilee tournament. The World Champion, in declining
the invitation, turned to Tal who was standing beside him, placed his hand on
Tal's shoulder and said: "Invite the future world champion instead!" It was
a good recommendation, for Tal won first prize.
This win was indeed a strong hint as to who would be the next champion.
To come out ahead of Keres, Gligoric, and Bobby Fischer was almost as great
a success as his win at Portoroz, especially when it is borne in mind that lower
down the table were such players as Barcza, Unzicker and Larsen. Tal was
now indeed a candidate for world honours.

GAME 46 Gligoric's 8 P-Kll, is certainly more ener-

getic.
Tal was beaten in the first round of the
Ijoth Anniversary tournament of the Zurich 8 B-Ku
Schachgesellschaft and the following game, 9 B-Q, B-K2
played in the second round, introduced a 10 0-0-0 Q- Kt3!
series of nine successive wins. It is a typical II KR-KI QKt-Q2
short game packed with combinations. Tal's 12 Kt(B3)-K2
clock showed little more than an hour for
such a game! Kupper is already at a disadvantage, But
the bolder 12 Kt-QI!?, only forces Black
SICILIAN DEFENCE to win two knights fOI a rook by 12 ....
KUPPER TAL QxKt: 13 Kt-B7 ch, K-QI; 14 KtxR,
Q-B4!; because 12 ... , PxKt: is met by 13
P-K4 P-QB4
Kt-Bj!
2 Kt-KB'3 P-Q3
3 P-Q4 PxP
I2 Kt-B4
4 KtxP Kt-KB3
13 BxKt?
1 Kt-QB, P-QR3
6 B-Ktj P-K,
Kt-KKt3 would have infused some life into
7 P-B 4 P-Kq
White's game, Now Tal is able to attack
An unusual move, the normal lines being strongly.
Q-Kt3 or P-R3 or B-K2,
13 BxB
14 P-KKt4

106
1°7
 19 Q-R4 chi SICILIAN DEFENCE 16 KR-KI
20 K-Q, QR-BT 17 Q-K2
21 Q-B2 B-RI TAL LARSEN
P-K4 P-QB4 He is quite pleased tv force the exchange of
There is even time for this quiet move! 2 Kt-KB, Kt-QB, queens, as his advantage in space is then
, P-Q4 PxP more readily exploited.
22 R-Kt, 4 KtxP P-KKt,
2, P-Ktl j Kt-QB, 17 QxQ
18 RxQ P-RI
Omitting the usual j P-QB4, leading into
19 B-B4 KR-BI
the Simagin variation. 20 B-Ktl R-R4
j B-Kt2 21 BxKt

14 6 B-K3 Kt-B,
7 B-QB4 0-0 Prudently avoiding 21 B-B6?, KtxPI
Inducing a weakening of the king's posi- 8 B-Kt3 P-Q,
tion. 21 BxB
9 P-B3 KtxKt
22 B-B6 P-R6
Ij P-B, Larsen may have been considering the 2, P-QKt, K-BI
9 ... , B-K,!? line, but he avoids compli-
His hopes of playing Ij P-Ktj, have to be
cations against so renowned a tactician as
postponed because of Ij ... , BxKt; 16
Tal.
KtxB, KtxP; 17 BxP ch, PxB; 18 KxKt, 0-0:
and Black has the superior position. IO BxKt B-K3
II Q-Q2 Q-R4
15 P-Ktj PxKt 12 0-0-0 P-QKt4
16 B-B2
13 K-Ku P-Ktj
Adding another little complication, for now
Kupper has to worry about the loose posi··
tion of his bishop.

24 KtxP

If 24 PxB, there is a spectacular win by

24 ... , RxB!; 2j KxR, QxP ch; 26 R-Ku,
BxP chI
Mobilizing the Q side in readiness for ac-
tion by the pieces. Even if Black avoids
24 BxKt
exchange of pawns, 2j R-K4, will be strong.
Resigns
Nevertheless, the strength of the move is
16 KtxKtP! above all psychological, for Black is ac-
tually deluded into dreaming of a win.
The threat bears fruit. Tal's sacrifice dis- GAME 47 14 Kt-Qj!
With 24· .. , P-K4; followed by B-QI-Kt3
plays speed and beauty. and R-R2 White would be checked.
The game moves onto positional lines; an
The young Danish grandmaster, Larsen, Black, however, misjudges the dynamic
17 KxKt PxP dbJ. ch exchange on Qj is now forced and the
has often won by means of his deep defen- strength of White's QKtP in thinking that
18 KxP 0-0 strength or weakness of the pawn position
sive play. The following positional strug- with a pawn ahead and bishops of opposite
19 R-QKtl will decide the issue.
gle might therefore be reckoned to favour colours he cannot well go wrong. But go
B-Kt3 would be answered by the advance him psychologically, but Tal proves himself 14 BxKt wrong he does on the 25th move and even
of the QRP. equally at home in this field. II PxB Q- Kt4 more so on the 26th.

108
 24 PxP e. p. j P-QB4 Kt-KB, 14 Kt- B3 Q-KKt3 2) Q-Bj 1, offered more chances, but Tal
2j K-B2 R-R2? 6 Kt-QB, B-Ktj Ij B-Q3 still had the edge after 2j ... , Q-K2. For
26 P-QKt4 P-K~? 7 B-Q2 example, I. 26 Q-Kt6, B-BI; 27 B-R4,
He cannot take the pawn. If Ij QxP, R-QI. II. 26 Kt-B4, B-BI; 27 Kt-Qj,
Black's position collapses. Better was P-K4 The variation beginning with 7 B-Q3, ha; B-Ktj!; 16 B-K2, Kt-B3; 17 Q- B3' Q-K4· III. 26 B-R4!, BxP; 27 P-Kt3,
followed by B-QI. proved better in practice, though Black KR-KI; with a strong attack. Or Ij KtxP, R-QI; 28 Q-B4 ch, K-RI; 29 RxR, RxR; 30
gets counter-play by 7 ... , Kt-B3; 8 Kt-B2, R-KI; 16 B-K2, QxP; 17 K-Q2, Q- Kt 4 RxR ch, KtxR; 31 Q-B2, P-QKt4; 32 QxB,
27 P-Ktj PxP
BxKt ch; 9 PxB, P-Q4!; 10 KPxP, PxP, II (h; winning a piece. Q-Ktj!
28 P-Kt6! R-K2
0-0, B-K3.
29 RxR KxR Ij P-Kj!
,0 R-KI ch
7 0-0
2j
26 P-QR3
Rl\Q
Kt-K4
8 P-Kj BxKt! His bold 13th move now gains in stature I
Winning a piece by the threat of 31 R-K8 Black's central superiority proves vital in 27 Kt-B4 B-B2
ch. this interesting position. 28 RxR PxR
More energetic than 8 ... , Kt-KI; 9 Kt-B2; 29 R-Q6
30 B-K4 B-K2; 10 B-Q3, with an attack. 16 B-KtI P-B4!
~I P-Kt? R-QKtl 17 Kt-R4 Q- K3 29 K-Kt2, would have been a little better,
9 BxB Kt-Kj a& the black rook is later able to infiltrate
12 P-B4 K.-K~ 18 P-KKt~ Kt-B~
10 Q-B2 P-Q4 into White's position.
H PxB PxP 19 R-Qj
II PxP e. p. KtxB!
~4 R-QKtl K.-Q, 29 Kt-B6 ch
3j R-Kt6 P-Qj Finding the best continuation, though he
A splendid interpolation. After II . . . , 30 K-RI R-QBI
36 R-R6 P-B4 cannot avoid the loss of a pawn.
KtxQP; 12 0-0-0, White gets a strong at- 31 B-QI R-B8
~7 R-R8 K-B2 32 R-Q8 ch K-Kt2
tack. Tal's line allows Black to gain the 19 Q-B2
38 B-Qj P-Kj 33 K-Kt2
initiative. 20 0-0 B-K,
39 RxP P-K6
21 R-Q6 Against 33 ... , B-Kt6.
40 K-Q3 P-Kt4 12 QxKt QxP
41 KxP! Resigns 13 R-QI 33 Kt-K8 ch
F or now the pawns begin to fall. 34 K-R,
Routine moves are little help against Tal.
He should have completed his development
with 13 B-K2.
GAME 48

One of the myths of the ancient Greek,

tells how Amphion, the poet, raised the
walls of Thebes entirely by the music of hi,
lyre. One cannot but recall this story when
looking at Tal's game with Unzicker, when
out of nothing he creates a combination as
if by magic. His pawn sacrifice is wholly 21 BxP
admirable.
After eight moves Tal's pawn sacrifice has
led to the win of a pawn. He now makes 3 Kt-Q6!
SICILIAN DEFENCE few energetic defensive moves to parry
34

UNZICKER TAL White's threats. An amusing little move which wins more
pawns by closing the file.
P-K4 P-Q B4 13 22 R(.8I)-QI B- K 3
2 Kt-KB, P-K, 2~ B-.82 QR-KI 3j B-K2 KtxKt ch
3 P-Q4 PxP A surpnsmg pawn sacrifice, which proves 24 Kt-Kt2 Q-B~! ,6 PxKt R-B7
4 KtxP P-QR~ of full value. Tal is now on the attack. 25 QxQ Resigns

110 III
 GAME 49 13 Kt-Kt, 0-0-0
zz PxKt BPxP 26 PxKt
14 KR-BI
z3 Kt-R; B-QI Z7 RxP Q-Kt2!
One would have to go far to find a more
characteristic Tal game than that against Identical so far with the Keres-Botvinnik
Only envisaging the withdrawal of the Best, according to Tal, since in reply to 2~
Nievergelt, which displays in the highest game at the Alekhine Memorial tournament
knight, but the outcome is very different! BxP, he could then sacrifice his queen with
degree his militant point of view and his in Moscow in 1956. Keres got much the bet-
more than sufficient material compensation.
eYer-present will to win. His own analysis ter position after 14 ... , Kt-R4; 15 R-B3,
24 Kt-B6 chI
in the Zurich Tot:rnament book re£lects his KtxKt; 16 RPxKt, K-Ktl; 17 Kt-R4, Q-R2; 28 RxP R-R;
views as though they were an absolute 18 P-B;. Nievergelt tries to improve on this 29 R-Q, B-B2
1\n unpleasant surprise for. Black. It is not
creed, and we shall have the pleasure of line.
the actual offer of the knight that is origi- The best defence was P-K;, after which
quoting his analysis at two points later on. nal-after all, its capture would cost the Black had good drawing chances.
queen-but the various plans which Tal
has conceived as arising out of the move. w R-KB6 B-QI
SICILIAN DEFENCE ,I R-B6 P-K;
TAL NIEVERGELT 24 K-RI
Too late now. Since the white rook IS
zi R-QKt3 Q-B2
P-K4 P-QB4 now on QB6, Q-B3 will gain a tempo.
Z Kt- KB3 Kt-QB3
32 R-QKt3
3 P-Q4 PxP
4 KtxP Kt-B, Forced by the threat of Q-B3, which would
5 Kt-QB3 P-Q3 attack two pieces.
6 B-KKtj P-K,
H Q-K, Q-R2
7 Q-Q2 P-KR,
34 Q-R6!
There was no hurry for this. P-QR3 is
14 B-K2 Deciding the issue. Of this move Tal
necessary.
I; R-B, QR-Ktl wrote: "A tremendous surprise! The in-
8 BxKt PxH 16 B-BI K-Ktl tervention of the queen is decisive and
17 R-Q31 there is no defence. Without taking chances
Forced, since 8 ... , QxB; would be an- earlier, such a position could scarcely have
swered by 9 Kt(Q4)-Ktj, a line which 7 .... It is most noticeable how often Tal manages been reached. Lasker and Alckhine taught
P-QR3; would have forestalled, thus pre- to get his rooks into action in quite an us that chess is a fight!"
serving his pawn skeleton, which is (lOW early stage of the game. 26 R-QB3?!
disrupted. 34 R-Qr
17 B-QBI Tal made this move instantaneously, and 3; BxP B-Q7
9 0-0-0 P-R, 18 P-QR3 P-R; he too queries it. This is his explanation: 36 Q-B6 Q-Q2
IO P-B4 B-Qz 19 Q-KI R-Kt; "After 26 KtxB, QxKt; there is no trace of 17 BxB Resigns
II B-Kzl an attack left and Black has the better
The following knight sacrifice could have position. Therefore I decided on the piece
A strong move, which proved its value in been avoided by 19 ... , B-BI. Unlike the sacrifice. I am well aware I was criticized GAME 50
the Bondarevsky-Botvinnik game in the majority of commentators, who therefore for it-it wasn't correct, I was just lucky,
XIXth Championship, where Botvinnik did recommend that move for Black, Tal I spoofed my opponent, my game was hope- The game against Keller is rich in com-
not answer, as Nievergelt here, with II . . . • agrees with Nievergelt's choice as permitting lessly lost and so on. Well, I couldn't see binations, and though they may have £laws,
P-KR4; but tried II . . . , Q-Kt3. After 12 a more active defence. With this view we where I was so hopelessly lost, and in any the whole attack is so rich in ideas that it
B-Ri!. KtxKt; 13 QxKt, QxQ; 14 RxQ, must agree, since 19 ... , B-BI; would have case why worry about the critics? I have i; easy to overlook them. Pushkin once said
R-KKtl; Ij P-KKt3, Black had the worst allowed White to build up an attack fairly the satisfaction of knowing that the fol- that when Russian was spoken in dialect
of it. rapidly by regrouping his pieces. lowers of chess. the spectators and the Or with small grammatical errors, it only
readers, are delighted when grandmasters became more charming; lacking the affec-
II P-KR4 20 Kt-Qi PxKt
t<lke chances and are not merely woodshift- t3tion of perfection, it came nearer to life.
IZ K-Ktl Q- Kt 3 21 PxP Kt-K4
ing." And so it is with this game.

lIZ
113
 Obviously if 16 ... , B-B3; 17 PxP ch, KxP; Attacking the queen but with an eye chiefly
SLAV DEFENCE
IS QxP ch. to the king. The knight cannot be captured
TAL KELLER because 23 QxP ch, would utterly destroy
I Kt-KB~ Kt-KB~ 17 P-KKt~ B-Q4 Black's position.
P-B4 P-K~
18 KR-QI K-BI
~ Kt-B~ P-Q4 19 KtPxP B-B4
22 Q-K4
4 P-Q4 P-B~ 23 R-KI B-Kj
j B-Ktj PxP
6 P-K4 P-Kq
There is nothing better, for Q-K4 would
7 P-QR4
be answered by 24 QR-QI.
More common is 7 P-Kj, leading to equally
sharp play after 7 ... , P-KRI; 8 B-R4,
P-Kt4; 9 KKtxP, PxKt; 10 BxKtP, 26 Kt-Q6 db!. ch!
QKt-Q2; II PxKt, Q-Kt3.
7 ... Q- Kt3 WirlOing the queen, but it is still far from
easy to win the game.
The correct move. After 7 ... , P-Ktj; 8
Kt-QKtI, P-KR3; 9 BxKt, QxB; IO BxP, 26 K-B2
Q-Kt3; II QKt-Q2, QxKtP; 12 R-KKtI, 27 KtxQ RxKt
Q-R6; 13 Q-Kt3, and 14 a-a-a!, White ha~ 28 Q-QI R-K4
a strong game.
RxP would have made it even more diffi-
8 BxKt PxB Stepping up his attack. The pawn causes cult for White.
9 B-K2 P-Q R3 Keller a lot of trouble.
10 0-0 B-QKt2
20 ... 24 QR-KtI!
II P-Qj! BPxP
12 KPxP P-Ktj BxP was necessary, though Tal still had an
attack after 21 Kt-Bj, B-K3; 22 KtxB ch, A witty combination! If 24 ... , BxR; 2j
Keller is already at a disadvantage, RxB. Meanwhile, White is threatening 2j
psychologically at least, for he is threat- QxKt; 23 BxP.
RxB!, QxR; 26 Kt-Q6 db!. ch, which Keller
ened with an exchange on his QKt4, fol- 21 B-Kt4 chi K-Kt2 plays to prevent.
lowed by P-QKt3 by White, and his Q-side
pawn skeleton ceases to exist. So he is
virtually forced to play the text-move. 24 RxB
2j RxB!
II P-Rj Q-B2
14 PxP?! Still it comes!
Kt-QR4 would have been sufficient to de-
monstrate an advantage for \XThite, but Tal 2j QxR 29 R-Kt7 chi
is always happy to fish in muddy waters.
Y t't another combination!
The very rarity of such decisions enriches Forced, for after RxR a staggering display
the literature of the game. The move is of pin and counter-pin follows, as for 29 KxR
justified, moreover, In the light of sub- 30 Q-Q7 ch K-Ktl
example 26 Kt-Q4 dis. ch, Kt-Kt5; 27
sequent analysis. 31 P-K8=Q ch RxQ
Q-B6 ch, K-Ku (K-R2; 28 Q-Q7 ch,
K-Ktl; 29 Kt-B6 mate); 28 Q-K8 ch, 32 QxR ch K-Kt2
14 PxKt
K-Kt2; 29 Q-Q7 ch, Q-B2; 30 Q-Q5 ch, H Q-Q7 ch K-Ku
Ij Kt-Q4 R-KtI
22 Kt-Ktj! winning a rook and the game. 34 QxKt Resigns
16 Q-R4 ch K-QI

I I 5
114
 GAME 51 12 P-BS! 2S Q-Kt8 ch GAME 52
I~ B-K4 PxP 26 B-KtI
Walther allowed Tal to obtain the ini- 14 B-Bs The Benoni Defence arouses mixed opin-
tiative right in the opening. Retribution was ions and many experts are sceptical of its
immediate and led to another Tal effort Of course not 14 BxP, Q-B4 ch.
value. Many of Tal's games, and not least
which ended with a nice point on the 30th 14 B-B4 ch the following against Donner, show him to
move. IS K-RI P-Kt3 be a strong supporter of the defence. His
16 QR-KI c.h K-BI modern methods of treating it are exciting
SICILIAN DEFENCE Kt-R4 P-QS! and it is notable how he foils White's at·
17
WALTHER TAL tempts to break through in the centre while
Tal prefers to offer a sacrifice rather than he himself succeeds in breaking through on
P-K4 P--QB4 accept one! In fact, 17 ... , PxB; would be
2 Kt-KB~ P-K~
the Q side.
bad on account of 18 KtxB, QxKt; 19
~ Kt-B~ P-QR~
B-B3!, Q-Kt3 (Q-Q3; 20 B-Ksl); 20
4 P-Q4 PxP Q-R3, P-Qs; 21 Q-R6 ch, K-KtI; 2l BENONI DEFENCE
S KtxP Q-B2
R-K 3! DONNER TAL
6 B-Q3 Kt-QB3!
26 P-Q4
Tal has already equalized without effort. 18 Q-KR3 K-Ku Kt-KB~
19 KtxB QxKt z P-QB4 P-B4
7 KtxKt? A fine move, in Tal's most harmonious
20 R-Ks Q-B3 3 P-Qs P-K3
13-K3 was better. The text-move merely style.
21 R-B~ KR-KI 4 Kt-QB~ PxP
strengthens Black's centre, as White cannot s PxP P-Q3
22 R-KKt3 27 BxB
contest it with P-QB4. 6 Kt-B~
7 KtPxKt Porced 27 B-K4, is answered by Kt-Q4!
8 0-0 The sharper continuation is 6 P-K4.
Kt-B3
9 P-B4 P-Q4 27 KtxB 6 P-KKq
10 Q-B3 B-Ku 28 R-B~ QR-QI 7 P-K4 B-Kt2
II B-Q2 29 P-Kt~ RxR 8 B-Q~?
An artificial move, instead of the morc ~o PxR
accurate R-KI, which would make II . . . , An error already, the importance of which
P-·B4; more difficult. is highlighted by Tal's energetic play. 8
B-K2, followed by 9 B-Kts, was reasonable
II P--B4!
",nc.ugh.
He already has the initiative, and that is
dangerous enough with Tal behind it! 8 0-0
12 PxP 9 0-0
22 P-B6!
1£ he tries to forestall the pin of the knight
The opening of lines is catastrophic for by 9 P-KR3, Black replies 9 ... , P-QK4'
White.
9 P-QR~

2~ PxP PxP 10 P-QR4 B-Kts!

24 RxP II P-R~ BxKt
12 QxB QKt-Qz
BxP is answered by Q-Bs! 30 Q-Kt2!
Black's position is flexible, to say the least_
24 Q-Kt~ Most effective, for if now ~I Q-Kt2, then His advance on the Q side cannot be pre-
2S B-K~ F· .. , R-Q7!; 32 R-Kt~, KtxP chi vented, while White's central advance is
hindered by his control of his K4. In such
He had to try and prevent 2S ... , Q-B7- Resigns positions the traditional advantages, such

II6 II?
as possession of two bishops, have only an 19 Q- Kt3' THE CANDIDATES' TOURNAMENT,
imaginary importance. In the following play
Tal's advantage is increased with every Attaining the strategical aim of the Benoni
YUGOSLAVIA, 1959
move. Defence, infiltration on the Q side. Q-Kt~
13 B-KB4 Q-B2 cannot now be prevented.
14 Q-K2 KR-KI
15 B-R2? 20 QR-Ktl Q-Ktj
With the wholly faulty plan of advancing 21 Q-BI
the KP, which he can never realise owing
to Tal's activity on the queen's wing. Bet- There were marked similarities between the AVRO tournament of 1938 in
An admission of failure. Nor would ex-
ter was Ij KR-BI, to check Black's counter- Holland and the Yugoslav Candidates' Tournament twenty-one years later.
change of queens have helped, as Black
;'Jay. Both these wandering chess circuses, which moved from city to city, were ma-
would then have overrun the Q side and
15 rathon contests of outstanding quality. Moreover, the hero of both tournaments
broken through there. Even now his pawns
16 B-QB4 was the grandmaster Paul Keres; first in the AVRO tournament, he was the
gain predominance.
This regrouping brings Tal's pieces inta first favourite also in the Candidates' tournament, and indeed his play justified
their customary faultless co-ordination. this for in the end he only fell below Mikhail Tal. As for Tal, now winner of
21 P-Bjl
White is loth to exchange by I7 BxKt, be- a Candidates' tournament, this was indeed the fulfilment of a dream; he had
22 R-K2 P·-QKt4
Cause he wishes to retain the bishop to assist but one more hurdle on the way to the world title, a match with Botvinnik,
2, PxP PxP
the central advance. and now that too was assured.
24 K-RI BxKt
Tal played with immense energy throughout the tournament, setting such a
17 P-B4 KtxB
pace that even Keres wa,s left a full point and a half behind. Alekhine and
18 QxKt Kt-Q2
The very mainspring of the Benoni Defence, Lasker used at times to play for victory in a similar frenzy of dedication. One
19 KR-KI
the proud bishop on KKtz, is exchanged, can perhaps best form an opinion of Tal by reading the statement he made at
Still pinning his hopes on a break-through, for now the passed QBP must win. the end of the tournament: "My play was uneven, though in so long a tour-
but now Tal produces a fine idea for start- nament it is difficult to maintain a constant standard throughout. In the first
ing his counter-play.
25 PxB QxP series I was rather feeling my way because I was in poor physical shape, and I
26 RxP Q-Q6! was really only at my best during the third series in Zagreb. My best games,
I think, were those against Smyslov in the second series and Fischer in the
third. But the real hero of the tournament was Paul Keres, for in spite of his
It is quite astonishing how rapidly Donner's 43 years he fought with all the vigour of a young man in his twenties ..."
position collapses.
GAME 53 Kt-Q2
27 Q-KI P-B6 4 KKt-B,
i8 R-Ktl Kt-B4! One of Tal's outstanding games! His play P-Q4!
Resigns i. original right from the outset, the opening
being handled in close fashion at first but A surprise after what has gone before.
then opened up on the jth move. With
j PxKP
For after 29 P-Kj, P-B7, 30 R-BI, Kt-Kt6; Smyslov failing to find the best defence,
6 QKtxP PxP
Black wins easily. Tal secures a dangerous initiative against
7 QxP KKt-B,
the black king and after Smyslov's counter- B-KKtj B-Kz
attack he winds up with a fine queen sac- 0-0--0 0-0
9
I ifice.
TO Kt-Q6 Q- R4
CARO-KANN DEFENCE II B-QB4 P-Kt4
TAL SMYSLOV Hoping to show that White's last move was
P-K4 P-·QB, too energetic, for now if 12 B-Kt3?, P-B4
P-Q3 P-Q4 and 13 .. _, P-Bj; will win the piece. Tal,

118
however, finds an answer which not only Ij Q-Ktj Kt-R4 GAME 54 Kt-B3; exchanging off the white knight and
saves the bishop but allows the queen to 16 Kt-R6 ch K-RI so protecting K3.
take up a strong post in front of the black I7 QxKt QxP Fischer. the young American prodigy who
king. is the junior of all grandmasters, plays his 10 P-QKt4
The decisive mistake. Probably best was favourite 6 B-QB4, variation against Tal's II P-B5?
12 B-Q2! Q-R; 17· .. , B-B3; 18 KtxP ch, K-Ktl; 19 Sicilian Defence. Tal responds .in unortho- It was vital to play P-QR3 so as to impede
Kt(B3)-Ktj, BxKt; 20 KtxB, Kt-B3; 21 dox fashion by postponing the development Black's next move.
Possibly with the idea of switching the Q-R4 QxP; 2: E-ih 1',-B4: with fairly of his QKt, and because Fischer fails to
queen along the third rank later so as to go,-,d chantes. I\Iso wolth considering was recognize the importance of this, he finds II P-Ktj
defend the king, but he never gets time for I7 ... , PxKt, 18 QxRP, P-B3; 19 Kt-Ktj himself in difficulties as early as the lIth
this. An alternative, leading to great com·· P.<Kt; 20 B-B3 ch, B-83; 21 RxKt, BxR; move. By the 17th move Black has estab- Now it can be equally seen why Black has
plications, was 12 •.• , Q-Rj; 13 Kt-Bj. 22 BxB ch, RxB; 23 QxR ch. K-Ktl; with lished a winning game and the victory is nc,t developed his knight via Q2. since he
B-B4; 14 Q-R4!; QxB; Ij Q-Ktj, Kt-KI; a probable draw. obtained by a combination of positional and now still has his K3 defended. If now 12
16 KR-Kr!, P-B3; 17 Q-Kt3, QxP; 18 B-B3. combinative motifs which is almost PxP (which would be strong if the Kt were
P-Kt3; 19 Kt-Ktj!, though Black can avoid 18 B-B3 Kt-B3 faultless. on Q2), PxKt; 13 PxP ch, K-RI; 14
this line with 13 ... , B-QI; when White's PxP, B-Kt5; and White has insufficient
If 18 ...• B-B3; 19 KtxP ch. K-Ktl; 20 compensation for his piece.
best move is probably the simple 14 B-Kt3.
Kt(B3)-Ktj, P-KR3; 21 KtxP chI. leads to SICILIAN DEFENCE
The text-move wins a piece but with con- Kt-R4
mate, while if 18 ... , P-B3; I~ KR-Kr!, is 12
siderable risk. FISCHER TAL
extremely strong. White no\v exploits the
P-K4 P-QB4 Of course not 12 Kt(B3)-K2, P-K4; winning,
weakness of the back rank with a fine queen
8-QI! Kt-KB3 P-Q3 a piece. Even 12 Kt-QI, is disadvantageous
sacrifice.
3 P-Q4 PxP after 12 •.. , P-K4; 13 Kt-K2, B-Kt2; I4
Although after 13 ... , 8-B4?; 14 Q - R4' Kt-Kt3, Kt-B3! An attempt to complicate
4 KtxP Kt-KB3
PxB; Ij KtxP?, Black wins by BxP; 16 QxB, j Kt-QB3 by 12 P-Kj, would not help because of
P-QR3
QxP; 17 B-B3, Kt-Kj; White can refute 6 B-QB4 P-K3 12 ... , PxKt!; 13 QxR, QPxP; 14 Kt-K2.
the line by Ij B-B3, QxP; 16 RxKt!, BxR; B-B4 chi Ij K-RI. B-Kt2!
7 B-Kt3
17 Kt-R6 ch, K-RI; 18 QxKt!, with an
elegant mate. Olafsson, in the same tournament, tried 7 12 P-K4
P-QR3, against Fischer, with the idea of 13 Kt-K2 B-Kt2
retreating the bishop to QR2 and so avoid- 14 Kt-Kt3 QKt-Q2
ing its later exchange. The games of this At last it is time to develop the knight!
tournament went a long way to shedding
light on this particular opening complex.

7 B-K2 After Ij B-Q2, P-QR4; 16 P-B3, B-B3!;

he cannot play I7 PxP, without losing a
19 QxPI Q-R8 ch In a later game with Fischer from the 27th piece, while 17 QR-BI, would be met by
20 K-Q2 RxQ round, the score of which follows later, Tal I7 ... , Q-Kt2; and 18 ... , P-Q4. The best
tried the wilder P-QKt4 and got into diffi- line was probably Ij P-B4, B-B3; 16 Q-K2,
Or 20 ... , QxR chi 21 RxQ, RxQ; 22 culties. The key factor is the delay in devel- KR-BI; 17 B-Ktj, BxKt; 18 BxB, Kt-Kt3;
KtxR ch, K-Ktl; 23 KtxB, winning a oping the QKt, the importance of which 19 B-Kt3, KtxBP; and White has good
piece. appears on the 10th and lIth moves. chances in spite of the loss of a pawn.
14 Q-R4 PxB
21 KtxR ch K-Ktl 8 P-B4 0-0 Ij B-B3
22 RxQ KxKt 9 Q- B3 Q-B2 16 B-B2 Q-Kt2
He must take the risk now, for if 14 ... , 23 Kt-K5 ch K-K3 10 0-0
Kt-Q4; Ij Q-Kt3, B-B3; 16 BxKt, followed 24 KtxP(B6) Kt-K5 ch 16 ... , Q-R4?; so far from winning a piece,
by 17 K-Ktl, gives White an advantageous 2j K-K3 B-Kq ch The value of holding up development of would actually turn out disadvantageous to
position. 26 B-Q4 Resigns the QKt is now apparent. If 10 P-Bj. Black after 17 P-QR3!

120 121
 17 KR-KI If 31 P-Bj, B-Kt2; F B-B4, BxKt; 33 BxB, r\ less well-trodden line than either 1
Qx1' ch. 1'-KKt3, or 1 1'-K3. After Black's next
move the game becomes a Nimzo-Indian
31 R--Ktl ch and Queen's Indian hybrid.
32 K-R,

Not 32 K-B3, P-Kj ch; 33 K-B4, R-Ktl j B-Ktl

ch; 34 Kx1', Q-Q2 ch; 31 K-B6, R-Kt, 6 P-K3 P-KR,
mate. 7 B-R4 P-KKt4

Most of Tal's opponents seem to have

chosen this energetic continuation. All the
same, a safer line is 7 ... , BxKt ch; 8
20 1'-Kt3! PxB, 1'-Q3; 9 B-Q3, QKt-Q2; IO 0-0,
Q- K2; and then Black can if he likes castle
An innocent looking little move which trig- on the Q side and play 1'-KKt4 and even
17 P-Q4! gers off an exceptionally strong K-side P-KR4, with still greater effect.
attack.
A central break-through of this kind is nor- 21 Px1' 8 B-Kt3 Kt-Kj
mally decisive. Black has strong pressure
White's position is hardly enviable after 21 Q-B2
<) BxKt ch
in the centre and along the long diagonal
P-Kq, 1'xP; 22 Px1', K-RI. 10 PxB 1'-Q3
and that is enough to put Tal in his
II B-Q3 KtxB
element. 21 P-B4! Q-KKt2!
32
22 1'-Kt] 33 B-QI R-K,!
In the Tal-Duckstein game, Zurich, 1919
18 PXP KtxP Resigns
The only way to avoid loss of a piece Black tried to reinforce his knight with
19 Kt-K4 II . . . , P-KB4; but after 12 P-QI!, PxP; 13
22 KxP Px1', Bx1'; 14 Kt-Q4, he was in trouble. In
23 Q-Kt, ch K-RI GAME 55 this position Black has to watch out for
An attempt to keep his grip on part of the
24 Kt(K4J-BI 1'-QI by White in any case.
centre. If 19 BxKt, BxB; 20 Kt-K4, Black Besides being so formidable an opponent
gets a considerable advantage by 20 ... , Othetwise 24 ... , R-KKtl; wins at once.
in the middle-game, Tal is by no means
QR-BI. devoid of new ideas in the openings. The 12 R1'xKt Kt-Q2
24 KtxKt
following game illustrates his own method I, 1'-R4 P-QR4
21 BxKt BxB ch
26 KtxB of handling the Queen's Indian Defence, 14 R-QKtI P-Kt\
19 Kt-B\! Q-QB2
the idea being to turn the game not so
Avoiding the error 26 ... , Q-K2; 27 much onto a combinative track as onto one It might have been worth playing Q-B3'
Threatening Kt-B3 with a quick decision. QxKt. which poses additional positional problems. with a view to 0-0-0, in spite of the open
As will be seen, these prove too much QKt file.
27 Q-K 3 QR-KI
20 P-B4 even for Gligorlc.
28 R-K2
15 Kt-R4
He has nothing better. If 28 1'-Kt3, either QUEEN'S INDIAN DEFENCE
So as to defend the knight by B-B2, but
Kt-Kt7; or stronger still Kt-R6 ch; 29
P-B3 leaving the bishop's present diagonal TAL GLIGORIC One of the rare cases where a knight is well
K-BI, P-Bj!
open was preferable. 20 P-Kt,?, is no good 1'-Q4 Kt-KB3 posted on the edge of the board. It re-
against 20 ... , Kt-R6 ch; 21 K-Kt2, 28 KtxR ch P-QB4 1'-K, mains there for 24 more moves and then
Kt-Kt4. Tal now gives the game a surpris- 29 QxKt Bx1' , Kt-KB, P-QKr, gives the game a decisive turn.
ing twist which would not have been 30 Ktx1' Q-R2 ch 4 Kt-B, B-Ku
possible after 20 P-B3. ,I KxB \ B-Ktl 15 Kt-B3

122 12 3
 only at the cost of a grievous pin, which Not 63 ... , QxP ch; 64 Q-Kt6 ch, forcing
K-Q2; 24 Q-Kt7 ch. But after the text·
the text-move maintains in spite of the the queens off. This possibility had to be
move White could win the queen by 23
exchange of a pair of rooks. After the foreseen by Tal as far back as the joth
R-QB4, though then Black could obtain
exchange, however, the pin has less force move.
counter-play by 23 .. " PxB.
and the quick way to win was by 37
64 K-R6 Resigns
K-BI Kt-B5!, avoiding the exchange and threat-
ening mate by 38 RxKt, RxR; 39 R-B8. For 64 ... , Q-Kt3 or R3 ch; is again
Not 23 ... , 0-0-0; 24 BxP, KR-BI; 25 If Black tries 37 ... , P-B3; against this, met by 65 Q-Kt6 ch, while if 64 ... ,
Q-B5 ch, Kt-Q2; 26 R-QB4, thus showing White wins by ,8 R-B7. Q-Q7 ch; 65 K-R7, Q-Q6 ch; 66 Q-Kt6,
that White's 22nd move was more than a
wins.
mere bluff, having a useful positional pur- 37 RxR
pos e as well. 38 RxR K-K2
39 Kt-B5 ch K-Q2
GAME 56
24 B-Ktj Q- B4
40 KtxP K-B2
25 R-QB4 Q- K4 41 KtxBP R--KBI
11. positional sacrifice of a type often seen 26 RxBP B-K5 Against Keres in the 17th round Tal
in such positions. Should Black take the 42 Kt-R6 R-QI
27 B-Q3 P-Q4 got into an apparently hopeless position
pawn, White will control his KB,. The 43 R-Ktj R-Q8 ch
28 R-B6 R-Ktl but found a problem-like move to ward
question is whether White gets enough for 44 K-R2 R-QR8
29 P-QB4! R-Kt4 off the attack. With Keres still trying to
the pawn. win, Tal's energetic counter-play then.
Although Black has held his opponent to The position at the adjournment. White
still has a win. but it is more difficult gave him the advantage. The game is, in
16 Q-K2 material equality, his position is less ac-
now because Black will have a passed fact, a good example of his defensive
tive. Some interesting fighting at close skill.
Since even this does not keep White out QRP.
range now follows.
of his KB4, PxP at once was better. It is
typical of having Tal as an opponent that '\0 P-Bj P-Q5 45 RxKtP Kt-B4
castling on either side is hazardous. 31 PxQP QxQP K-B,
SICILIAN DEFENCE
46 R-QB4
,2 BxB QxB 47 Kt-Bj RxP KERES TAL
17 0-0 Kt-Q2 H PxP QxQ 48 Kt-Q4 ch K-Kt, P-~ P-QB4
18 PxP QxP
34 RxQ Kt-Q2 49 RxR KtxR 2 Kt-KB3 P-K,
19 B-B5 QxBP
35 P-Kt7 Kt-B4 50 P-Kt4 Kt-B6
3 P-Q4 PxP
20 KR-QI Kt-B; 36 R-Ktj! KtxKtP 51 K-Kt, P-R5 4 KtxP P-Q R3
21 R-Q4 Q-B; j2 K-B4 P-R6 Kt-QB3
5 B-Q3
5'1 Kt-B2 P-R7 6 KtxKt OPxKt
54 P-Ktj K-B4
55 P-Kt6 Kt-Q4 ch Two rounds earlier against Smyslov he
56 K-Kt5 K-Bj played KtPxKt, which is at least as good
\7 P-Kt7 Kt-K2 and the fact that he lost that game had
j8 P-B4 nothing to do with his 6th move. How-
ever, with a good lead in the tournament,
Black is now able to force a Queen end Tal is not for once particularly anxious
game but it is equally hopeless. to complicate the game.

j8 K-B6 7 0-0 P-K4

59 Kt-RI K-Kt7 8 Kt-Q2 Q-B2
37 R(B2)-Kt2 60 P-Bj KxKt 9 P-QR4 Kt-B,
22 B-K6! R-KKu 61 P-B6 K-Kt8 IO Q-B, B-QB4
Even Homer nods at times! After the cut
An interesting situation! Clearly 22 .... 62 PxKt P-R8=Q II Kt-B4 0-0
and thrust of the last few moves Black
63 P-K8=Q! Q-R4 ch 12 Kt-K;
PxB; was impossible because of 23 Q-Kt6 ch, has found himself able to recover his pawn

12 4 I2j
 B-Kt\ P-QR3
Keres still had a chance of winning the
4 B-R4 Kt-B,
tournament if he could defeat Tal now,
j 0-0 B-K2
so he exerts every effort to work up ao
6 R-KI P-QKq
attack on the king.
7 B-Kq 0-0
12 R-KI 8 P-B, P-Q3
13 B-B4 B-K, 9 P-KR, Kt-Q2
14 BxB RxB 10 P-Q4 Kt-Kt,
15 Kt-B\ P-KKt:; II QKt-Q2
16 Kt-R6 ch K-Ktz In previous games Tal successfully played
I7 R-QI R-QI
Il B-K3. The text-move was used against
18 RxR
him by Spassky at the Soviet Chess Spar-
takiad.
18 B-Kt\, was worth considering. White. 24 K-BI!
21 PxKt There were better winning chances either P,.P
however, has a far-reaching plan in mind, II
by 36 ... , Q-B4; or by :;6 ... , P-R4.
the point of which is revealed on move 23.
After the text-move White could have
Tal has to be very careful. 2\ BxKt, is not good for after 2\ .... This and the next move form a regular
drawn by 37 Q-B4, P-Q7; 38 BxP, QxB;
Q-B8 ch; 26 K-R2, QxKt; 27 B-Ktj, system of defence. However, B-B3 is also
39 Q-B8 ch, R-KI; 40 Q-Bj ch. Even if
18 QxR Q-Kt2; 28 B-B6, RxB; 29 PxR, Q-R:;; playable.
Black answered 37 Q- B4, with 37····
19 B-Ktl Q-Q\ 30 Q-K4, K-Ktl; 31 QxQP, Q-BI; Black
P-R4; White could hardly lose after [z PxP P-Q4
20 P-R4 has a winning ending. White could per-
haps have got a slightly better game than
38 Q-B8 ch, R-KI; 39 Q-B4. However,
Keres missed this saving line in extreme
I, B-Bz!
Defending the bishop against the threat he did by 2\ K-R2, Q-Kj; 26 Q-R3 ch,
time trouble.
of 20 ... , QxP ch; 21 QxQ, BxQ ch; K-KI; 27 PxKt. Spassky' s strong continuation, and much
37 Q-QI? Q-B4 ch better than 13 P-K\, B-B4.
21 KxB, KtxP ch. Now White in turn is
threatening 21 R-QI, and if 20 ... , R-Q3; ,8 K-RI Q-QB7
2\ Q-B6! B-K,
39 Q-B3 P-Q7
2T P-B3, Q-Bj; 22 K-R2, and 2l R-QI,
40 BxP QxB
is very strong. Very strong! He forces the white queen Resigns In a game Vasiukov-Furman from a Mos-
20 QxKtP onto an awkward square and wins a pawn
cow-Leningrad team match Black played
21 R-QI B-Qj into the bargain. GAME 57 13 ... , Kt-Kt\; and White got the ad-
22 R-Q3 vantage after 14 B-Ktr, PxP; Ij BxP.
26 Q-Kt4 Q-K8 ch The Tal-Olafsson game is an alternation Olafsson follows Tal's own recipe, which
Threatening to force his way in with 27 K-R2 QxP of brightness and shadow, like the light he employed against Spassky.
23 P-B3. and 24 R-Q7. What is Black tv 28 Q-R3 Q-K8 from a flawed diamond. Tal shows him-
29 Q-QKq P-Kq self an excellent strategist but, unlike his Q-Qz
do? If 22 .•• , P-B4; 23 R-Kt3, Q-R8 ch;
,0 PxP BPxP usual self, he fails to find the tactical so-
24 K-R2, P-Kt3; 2j P-B3, P-B\; 26 R-Kt4.
QxBP; 27 QxQ, BxQ; 28 RxBP, and Black 31 Q-R3 ch P-Kt\ lution in a strategically well constructed
might as well resign. So there is nothin" 3Z Q-QKt:; Q-K4 CQ position. Olafsson thus gained an advan- Preparing a plan to occupy the weak QBj.
to be lost by adopting a bold course. b 33 K-RI Q-K8 ch tage but blundering more than once in which he consistently follows.
34 K-R2 Q-K4 ch time trouble he allowed Tal to gain the
upper hand after all. Ij
22 QxP
2, RxB PxR Gaining time on his clock. White cannot
RUY LOPEZ In the Spassky-Tal game the continuation
24 P-K\ play 3\ K-R3, because of Q-K6 ch!
TAL OLAFSSON was 1\ ... , B-KB4; 16 B-Ktj, B-QKtj;
Black is apparently lost, but he finds a P-K4 P-K4 II R-K2, KR-KI; with adequate play for
31 K-RI Q-Q3
fine defensive move. ,6 K-Ktl Kt-KB:; Kt-Q B3 Black.

IZG 12 7
 Much stronger was 24 ... , B-B4; 25 QxP 40 R-K3 R-·R.4
ch, Q-R2; 26 QxQ ch, BxQ; 27 P-R3. 41 R-Kt3 ch K-R2
Kt-Q6; 28 R-B6, B-K\. 42 R-Kt\ Resigns

2\ QxP cn R-R2
26 Q-B6 ch GAME 58
If he avoids the exchange of queens, Black
will work up a strong attack on his king Tal's next game is another against Fi·
along the open files. scher, which should delight the reader.
He launches a furious attack on Black's
26 QxQ king on the 19th move, sacrificing three
27 PxQ Kt-Q6? pawns and a knight. Like so many of Tal's
games, this one is valuable for its contri·
16 B-Kt\! 20 B-R7 ch? An inaccuracy in severe time trouble. Af-
bution to opening theory.
ter 27 ... , R-KKtr; 28 P-R3, Kt-Q6:
Transposing moves and so robbing him- 29 R-B6, B-BI; White's chances are almost
With the idea of weakening Black's QB.\
still further by exchanging the bishop. self of the fruits of his preViious excellent negligible. Is one to say that Tal was KING'S INDIAN DEFENCE
strategy. Correct was 20 Kt-Bj!, KtxKt: lucky again? Only in so far as he has a
style that wears out his opponents so that TAL FISCHER
21 B-R7 ch, K-RI; 22 RxKt, P-Kt3;
Kt-Ktl? they come to the most critical parts of the P-Q4 Kt-KB 3
23 P-R3!, B-B4; 24 Q-QBI, followed
either by 24 ... , Kt-Q6; 2j QxP, or by game in a state not far short of collapse. 2 P-QB4 P-KKt3
Not a good idea. Admittedly White would 24 ... , KxB; 2j PxKt. with advantage to 3 Kt-QB3 B-Kt2
28 R-B6 B-Q2
get the advantage after 16 ... , KtxKtP; White in either case. It is rare for Tal to 4 P-K4 P-Q3
29 RxRP R-KKu
by 17 BxP ch, KxB; 18 Q-Ktr ch, or even miss a combinative solution of tnat kind I \ B-K2 0-0
30 P-KR4 Kt-B\?
by 17 Q-Ktr!, at once. However, Black Now the game is jolted right out of its 6 Kt-B3 P-K4
could get a satisfactory game by 16 ... , logical course. 7 P-Qj QKt-Q!
A decisive mistake in great time trouble.
P-B3; I7 PxP, BxP; 18 BxB, RxB. He 8 B-Kt\
He could get a pull by 30 ... , B-Kt5!:
could also try to keep his bishop by 16 .... 20 K-RI whether White answered 31 Kt-Kj, KtxKt: This form of development was introduced
B-QKt\; 17 R-K2, KR-Kr. 21 Kt-B\ 32 PxKt, B-B6!; or 31 Kt-Ktj, RxP. by Petrosian. It deviates from the normal
line in that 7 ... , Kt-B3; is prevented,
Equally unconvincing is 21 P-R3, P-Kt); 31 P-KKt3 Kt-R6 ch
17 BxB QxB whereas it can follow the usual 7 0-0.
22 BxP, PxB; 23 QxP, RxKt; 24 QxP ch, 3l K-Kt2 B-Kt\
18 Q-Ktl P-R~
Moreover, by not castling on the 8th move
Q-R2; or again 21 P-R3, P-Kt3; 22 PxKt. " Kt-K\ Kt-BI ch
B-K3) either, White does not allow the well-
8-B4: 23 Q-R2, QxKtP. 34 K-R2
known variations beginning with 8 0-0,
If 18 ... , KtxB; White controls his QB, Kt-B4. Black is thus faced with less com-
by 19 QxKt, and 20 QR-Br. But 18 .... Black's last two fault) moves show how
21 P-Kt3! mon problems and must act quickly against
P-Kt3; was a better defence to White's successfully Tal has illfused tension into
the position. the threat of 9 Q-Q2.
attack. The difference is that Q-BI is no longer
. possible. 31 R-KI 8 P-KR3
19 R-QBI! 9 B-R4 P-R3
22 BxP KtxKt Now he recovers the piece and the win
is simple. Preventing Kt-QKtj before playing his
23 RxKt PxB
Simple and logical. A pos!tlon that looks next move, but the idea proves to be too
24 QxP
most unlike Tal, but a rapid change is in 31 B-B4 cumbersome and slow. Trifunovic recom-
prospect. 36 P-B7 R-KBI mends 9 ... , P-KKt4; IO B-Kt3, Kt-R4:
24 P-R3. is met by 24 ... , B-B4. RxP ch
i7 PxKt but it is not certain that this is satisfactory
i8 K-Kq R-R6 ch since it was given a trial in the Smyslov-
19 QR-BI
39 K-Kt2 K-Ku Benko game and White had a pull after

128
12 9
II 0-0, Kt-Bj; 12 Kt-Qz, P-KB4; 13 PxP, 19 KPxP ~I Kt-Rj P-R4
KtxB ch; 14 QxKt, Kt-B3; Ij P-Bj. 20 QxP PxP ;2 P-KR4 R-Ktl
33 Kt-B4 P-K t 4
10 0-0 Q-KI The acceptance of the pawn offer is fatal. ;4 Kt-Kj Resigns
II Kt-Q2 Kt-R2 His only chance was 20 ... , Q-K4.
12 P-QKt4 B-·E~
21 B-Q~! PxP GAME 59
In the 6th round Fischer played 12 ... , 22 QR-KI Q- B3
Kt-Kt4; and White was able to carry Out It was said of Lasker that though he some-
his strat~gical aim of a Q-side attack by times lost a game or two, he never lost
I~ P-B3, P-KB4; 14 B-B2, Q-K2; Ij R-BI, his head. The following game shows that
Kt-B3; 16 P-Bj, B-Q2; 17 Q-B2, Kt-R4; Tal possesses the same capacity. He takes
[8 P-Ktj! The text-move works out no too great a risk in the opening and gets
better, nor would 12 ... , P-KB4; 13 PxP, into a lost position. However, he continues
to defend himself with impressive calm II P-Bj KtPxP
PxP; 14 B-Rj.
and finally it is his opponent who loses 12 KtxBPI R-Ktl
I~ BxB Kt(R2)xB his head and with it the game.
[4 Kt-Kt~ Q-K2 Not 12 ... , PxKt; I; Q-Qjl. R-Rz;
Ij Q-Q2 K-Rz SICILIAN DEFENCE 14 Q-Q4!, and White wins a rook.
16 Q-K3 Kt-KKtl
FISCHER TAL I; B-Qj I
Although he at last achieve~ P-KB4, he P-K4 P-Q B4
loses so much ground ,io development that 2~ R-K6! 2 Kt-KB3 P-Q; Another excellent move. but though White
White is able to exploit the position. Much stronger than 23 QxKtP. after which 3 P-Q4 PxP thus emphasises the superiority of his po·
23 ... , Kt-K4; would hold the KBP. Now 4 KtxP Kt-KB~ sition, Tal defends himself with the utmost
17 P-B\ P-B4 the attack on the black king d"evelops apace. \ Kt-QB; P-QR; cuolness and contrives to put every pos-
18 KPxP KtPx D 6 B-QB4 P-K~ sible difficulty in his opponent's way.
QxKt 7 B-Kt~ P-QKt41?
If 23 ... , Q-B2; 24 QxKtP, and Black In the 13th round against the same oppo- I~ R-R2
cannot play Kt-K4. nent Tal played the more prudent B-Kz. 14 BxKt PxKt
However, it is by no means uncommon Ij BxP R-Kz
24 BxP ch RxB 16 BxB QxB
for apiayer to depart from a well-tri ed
If 24· .. , K-RI; 2j RxP ch, wins. line for fear of meeting a prepared vari- 17 B-B4?
ation.
2j QxR ch K-RI
Overlooking that the simple 17 P-B3. main-
26 R-B~l Q-Kt7 tained his advantage because of the mat·
27 R-K8! The most energetic continuation, whereby ing threats that follow and even if Black
Every move is a threat. Black is now faced he; gets ample compensation in develop- .mcceeds in surviving to the end-game, he
with RxKt ch, so he returns the piece. ment for the sacrifice of a pawn. Tal, quite would still have the weaker pawns. Never-
logically, accepts the offer, though to do theless, White's game is by no means
27 Kt-B~ so is extremely risky. ruined by this slip.
28 QxKt ch QxQ
Introducing a typical Tal series of sacri- 29 RxQ K-Kt2 8 P-Xtj
fices in order to storm the king's position. ;0 R(B6)-B8 Kt-K2 9 Kt- R4 KtxP 17 Q- B3
Black could try and keep the game closed !O o-o! P--Kt; 18 Q-B~ QxKt
by 19 ... , P-Kj; but that would give Temporarily avoiding the loss of a piece. 19 BxP Q- B3
White access to his Q4, besides leaving but White's subsequent knight manoeuvre As a means of preventing White's P-Bj 20 BxKt Q-Kt; ch
Black with weaknesses on K~ and KB4. is decisive. this turns ont quite useless. 2[ K-R[ QxB
 1\s long as the queens remained on the MIKHAIL TAL, THE NEW WORLD CHESS CHAMPION
board there were drawing chances for
White, and therefore 32 P-QR3, was pre-
ferable. Now Black is able to exchange
the queens and come out with a certain
win.
The struggle between Botvinnik and Tal in the large auditorium of th.:
32 Q-B3 eh Pushkin Theatr,c in Moscow during the spring of 1960 was watched with absorb-
33 R-K 4 QxQ ed and passionate interest. This interest derived not only from the occasion
34 RxQ R-Kq itself but from the clash of styles involved, and especially the ,style of the
35 K-Ktl K-B~
younger Mikhaill, whose fighting qualities and brilliant imagination were al-
36 K-B~ K-K4 ready such a byword; hundreds of thousands of chess-players throughout the
22 Q-B6 ch? 37 K-K~ B-Kt4 ch world followed the drama as it unfolded. The excitement reached its peak at
~8 K-K2 K-Q4 the end of the 21st game of the match, when Tal was literally carried shoulder-
But this IS a grave error. He had good B-B~
39 K-Q3 high from the arena. As an incident that final wave of enthusiasm may have
chances by 22 QR-KI!, since then the 40 R-B2 B-K4
threats of 23 Q-B6 ch, and 2~ QxP eh,
been of little importance, but it was symptomatic of an advance in the art of
41 R-Kl R-KB:;
are not easy to meet.
chess and in the popularity of the game which can. he ascribed directly to Tal's
42 R-QB2 R-B6 eh
success.
22 R-Q2 4:; K-K2 R-B2
Tal went off with a rush and took the lead in the first game. Though a num-,
23 QR-KI ch B-K2 44 K-Q:; B-Q5
ber of draws came later, Tal continued his advance and Botvinnik was only
24 RxP KxR 45 P-QR:; P-Kt6
momentarily to apply the brakes. The final decision was virtually reached in
25 Q-K6 ch K-BI 46 R-B8 BxP
the 19th game, when Botvinnik's resistance was finally broken and the challen-
26 QxR Q-Q3 47 R-Q8 eh K-B3
ger had merely to score two more draws to win the title.
27 Q-Kt7 R-Kq 48 R-QKt8 R-B6 ch
The match revealed Tal for the most part as an expert in positional ma-
28 P-B:; P-QR 4 49 K-B4 R--B6 ch
noeuvres, although he was seen in his old colours in the first and sixth games:
29 Q-B8 rh K-Ktl 50 K-Kt4 K-B2
indeed, in the latter it could be said that even more delicate and refined
3° Q-B4 B-QI 51 R-Kt5 B-R8
colours came from his palette. Even since the recent Candidates' tournament
,I PxP PxP 12 P-QR4 P-Kt7
his outlook on chess had matured and in the course of the match itself the
32 P-KKt:;? Resigns
process continued,
His own words after his win are worth recording: "Admittedly the match
was no easy one, and 1:0 win it less so. Analysis of adjourneJ positions caused
me and my second, A. Koblentz, to burn a great deal of midnight oil. 1 was
naturally delighted at the opportunity of engaging so fine a master as Botvin-
nik and our meeting undoubtedly produced pl,ay of the highest standard.
"How did I prepare for the match? Well, I can reveal that secret now. 1 gave
little attention to the openings since 1 regarded them as of minor importance.
What I tried to do was to detect Botvinnik's vulnerable points from a study
of his games; further, 1 studied much ohess literature and got to know the
achievements of Soviet and other masters. My preparation goes right back to
the Riga tournament, where I studied openings more than anything else. I
engaged in no match-play at aU so as to have all the more appetite for it when
it came.
"I took very little time over he openings in almost every game with Botvin·
nik so as to come to the later part of the game as fresh as possible."
In Tal's opinion Botvinnik's play in the 10th game was that of a true vir-
tuoso. Of his own wins he thought the 19th game was the best. All the same,
the 12th ,game is notable with its extreme wealth of ideas.

13 2
 GAME 60 I9j8, but Chess Archives concluded that hour's thought, played II . . . , QKt-B3; and
Black did not get a satisfactory game. RxKt; and Black still has some powers of
was soon in a lost position although he later resistance. As it is, the king is caught in
The first game with Botvinnik can be though that is an opinion which could easily escaped with a draw. Botvinnik's alterna-
called the fulfilment of a dream. Tal had change. The text-move was played by Pet- the centre and plagued with attack on all
tive selection requires more practical tests sides.
always wanted to play a game with the rosian against Gligoric at the Candidates' before its true value can be assessed.
world champion. Now his opportunity had tournament of I9j9.
come, not to play a single game but a 12 Q-Rj ch Kt-Kt~
9 QxP R-KtI An excellent move. The rook is developed,
whole match. But there was nothing dream-
IO QxP l'xP Petrosian preferred K-QI here. his QB3 is defended and Black's Kt-Kz is
like in his play, which shows him attacking
vigorously and overwhelming Botvinnik now able to be answered with PxP.
I~ Kt-K2 P-Q6
with his energy, thus securing a lead in the 19 Q-B2
match which he never lost. Trying to accelerate his counter-chances PxP
20 Kt(B~)xP
against the threat of Kt-B4. An interesting 21 R-K, K-Q2
idea is raised by the following Yugoslav
FRENCH DEFENCE analysis: 13 ... , PxP; 14 Kt-B4, K-B2; Ij An attempt to win the queen by 21 ... ,
TAL BOTVINNIK Q- R7 ch, R-Ku; 16 Q-R6, QxP; 17 Kt-Rj, R-RI; is illusory, for then comes 22 RxKt
Kt- B3; 18 QxR ch, QxQ; 19 KtxQ, KxKt; cll, K-Q2; 23 R-K7 ch, QxR; 24 QxKt.
P-K4 P-K~
20 P-B4, preventing P-K4 and P-Qj. It is
2 P-Q4 P-Q4 22 R-KtI! P--Kt3
difficult to assess the value of this line a.
Kt-QB~
it is to appraise the game itself. B-B3; 23 Kt-Q4, does not promise
22 ••• ,
Selecting the variation which leads to the much more.
14 PxP B-R\ ch
sharpest complications.
Ij K-KI QxP? 23 Kt-B4 QR-KI
II K-QI
B-Kt\ 24 R-Kt4
It was better to move the king to safety
Botvinnik always plays this move, which Petrosian's appraisal of the position was with Kt-B3 and 0-0-0, though he would The white rooks enter the action in most
has quite superseded the older Kt-KB3 or the following: "The threat of a storm hangs still have had difficulty in getting com- original fashion.
PxP. over the black king, for the white queen has pensation for his two lost pawns.
gone deep into his position and opened it 24 B-B~
4 P-K\ up by the removal of the KKtP and the 16 B-Kt\! Kt-B~ 2j Q-Qr! KtxKt
j P-QR~ KRP. Still, Black has now started a good 17 P-Q4 Q-B2 26 R(Kt4)xKt Kt-Kt3
counter-attack on the QB file and White 18 P-R4 P-K4? 27 R-Q4 RxR ch
Russian analysis has shown this to give has to guard against both QxBP ch and 28 PxR K-B2
This was his last chance of getting the king
White most chances and Bogolyubov's B-Q2 QxKP ch. The move selected is more prom- to safety by Kt-K2 and 0-0-0. If White
is now rarely seen. ising than the alternative II K-K2." It is answers 18 ... , Kt-K2; with 19 BxKt, then
BxKt ch amusing to recall that a few months earlier In ... , QxB; 20 Kt-B4, Q-KB2; 21 KtxKt,
j
6 PxB Q-B2 Botvinnik, when visiting Niirnberg, saw the
castle, so impregnable in the Middle Ages,
The alternative is 6 ... , Kt-K2; so as to surrounded by its moat and remarked:
defend the KKtP after 7 Q-Kt4, by 7 .. '. "That's the sort of place to withdraw to
Kt-B4. when Tal is on the attack."

7 Q- Kt4 P-B4 II B-Q2

8 Q-Kt, Kt-K2
Black has to choose between this move and
PxP. The latter move was played by Bot-
vinnik against Reshevsky in Moscow in 1948
and by Fuchs against Spassky at Varna in
No doubt both players had had a good look
at the previously mentioned game between
Gliaoric and Petrosian, where Gligoric sim-
ilarly surprised his opponent with II
K-Qr. Petrosian gave the situation half an From the 22nd move White has been re-
grouping his forces for an attack on Black's

135
Q4, and now the deci~ive break-through Black's initiative i~ shown to be quite An unexpected move which reveals Tal's Petrosian was of the opinion that Black
occurs. Black's reply is an error in time ephemeral by 12 . . . , Kt(Ktj)-K4; 13 P-Kt3, profound position judgement and his free· gave up his advantage by this move and
trouble but other moves would also have Kt-B4; 14 B-K3, Kt(K4)-Q6; Ij R-KBI. dam from dogma. One is reminded of a should have played B-K4, with the con-
led to loss of the Q P and ultimately of the II. 10 R-KtI, although similarly maintain- game between Lasker and Janowsky, where tinuation 24 K-KtI, QxP; 25 QR-KtI, BxR;
game. ing tension, is not favourable because of Lasker, with equally profound insight, 26 RxB, Q-B7; 27 R-QBI, Q-B4; or else
I() • • • , PxP; and if II KtxP, KtxP; or II
PxP? played his rook to an unexpected square, 24 B-B3, QxP; 25 Kt-Qr!, Q-R6!; 26 RxR,
29 QxP, Kt-B4.
,0 BxP Q-Kt2 where it was later found to have a very RxR; when 27 QxR, is answered by QxB.
III. IO P-B5, is tno sharp. For example. good post. But in the latter variation the substitution
,I BxR QxB 1O ••. , PxBP; II PxKP, Kt-KI.
,2 P-Rj Resigns Ij R-Ktl of 24 P-B3, for 24 B-B3, prevents QxB, and
IV. IO PxP, giving equal chances as in Naj- Kt-R4!
then the variation is no longer favourable
dod-Bronstein in Moscow in 1956, which J6 B-K, Q-Kt,
to Black.
went 10 ... , PxP; II Q-K2 (defending his Now 17 ... , P-B4; IS threatened and if 17
GAME 61 QKtP) , Kt-KI; 12 B-K3, Q-Ktj; 13 P-Bj!. P-R3, Q-Kt6.
24 QR-Ktl
P-Kt3! A line worth considering was 24 Kt-Qr,
Thi~ game is as much a pearl as the 17 Q-K2
Q-K4; 25 QxQ, BxQ; 26 B-KB3!, with
famous 6th game of the return match be- IO P-Q\ PxP! SO that after 17 , P-B4; 18 PxP, Black advantage to White, though actually Tal
tween Alekhine and Euwe. Sacrifices like cannot play 18 , PxP. would have met 24 Kt-QI, with QxQR!;
In the Geller-Wade game at Stockholm.
Black's 21 ... , Kt-Bj; cannot be evaluated I7 R-B\ involving enormous complications.
1952, Black was quickly at a disadvantage
in the time available for play, and even 18 KR-BI QR-QBI
after 10 ... , Kt-KI?; II R-Ku, P-KB4; 24 P-B6!
Botvinnik failed to disprove it. Certainly 19 K-R2 P-B4
12 Kt-KKtj 25 RxQ?
Tal's win in this game was an important 20 PxP BxP
factor in the batt! e of nerves, while his II BPxP Kt-B4 21 R-QRI This is the decisive mistake. The correct
combinative ability is revealed at its best. 12 Kt-KI move was 2j BxPI, BxR; 26 RxB, Q-B7; 27
Expecting the threat of P-Kt4 to force the
R-QBr! (not 27 RxP, BxKt; 28 Q-K6 ch,
retirement of one of the black minor pieces,
KING'S INDIAN DEFENCE The alternative is 12 Q-B2, B-Q2; 13 B-K3, K-RI; 29 Q-K7, B-K4 ch; .,0 K-Ktz,
dter which he can prepare to occupy hi~
as in the game Korchnoi-Nejmetdinov, R(B5)-B2; 31 RxR, QxR; and Black wins),
BOTVINNIK TAL K4. but a great surprise follows.
1957, though Spassky and Tolush, analysing Q-Kt7; and now White could virtually
P-QB4 Kt-KB, that game, considered 13 ... , P-QR4 I satis- force a draw by 28 R-QKtI, or even play
bctory to Black. for a win by 28 B-Kq.
,
2 Kt-KB3
P-KKt)
P-KKt3
B-Kt2
12 B-Q2 25 1';,Q
4 B-Kt2 0-0
13 Kt-Q, KtxKt 26 R-Kt, F.-Q5!
j P-Q4 P-Q,
6 Kt-B, QKt-Q2 J4 QxKt 27 B-KI B-K4 ch
0-0 P-K4 28 K-KtI
7
8 P-K4 P-B,
9 P-KR, Q- Kt3

This move, with an eye to the squares Q,

and QKt7, certainly sets White as many
problems as Q-R4. White's problem really
21 Kt-Bj!?
is to defend the two attacked squares and
at the same time retain an initiative; besides A beautiful and by no means unreasonable
the text-move, four other moves come into sacrifice, for though White could reach a
consideration for White, viz.: better position than he did, such a line i~
I. 10 R-KI, maintaining the tension, is not easy to find among the many possibili-
probably the best, for after IO .•. , PxP; II ties opened up by a move of this nature.
KtxP, Kt-Ktj; White does not have to take .u PxKt PxP
the knight but can play 12 Kt(B3)-K2, when 14 KR-Br! 23 B-Q2 QxP 28 B-B5

1~1
Recovering the piece either by 29 R-RI, scoring a win, he employs the defence more 17 K-BJ This plan turns out to be faulty. He should
RxKt; 30 RxR, R-Q8; or by 29 R(Kt3)-KtI, elastically and with a greater degree of risk. 18 B-Kc, P-KKt4 retain his K-side pawns and his bishop,
QBxR; 30 RxB, RxKt. Quicker, however, Tal, however, soon finds the answer and 19 PxP PxP because as played the white K-side pawn>
and more worthy of Tal was 28 ... , RxKt!; launches a fierce attack with a whirl of 20 Kt-R, R-KKtl get too clear a run.
29 R(Kt3)xR, R-Q8; 30 R-B7, B-Kt7!; as complications. A slip in such positions is all 21 KR-QI
suggested by Petrosian. too easy, and especially so against Tal. ,2 KtxB1' BxB?
A move that shows he is still looking for 3~ 1'xB R-Kt4
29 KtxP RxR an initiative by getting counter-play on the ~4 KtxP RxP
30 KtxR(Q4) RxB ch CARO-KANN DEFENCE Q file. He could have saved a tempo by 35 1'-B4
~I B-BI B-KI QR-QI, but then Black would achieve fur-
TAL BOTVINNIK
~2 Kt-K2 B-K4 ther exchanges by 21 ... , R-KI. Black cannot stop this pawn, while his own
P-K4 P-QB3 pawns are too slow getting under way.
3~ P-B4 B-B,
P-Q4 P-Q4 21 P-R4
\4 RxP BxP
3 Kt-QB3 PxP 22 PxP RxP 35 R-Kt8 ch
35 R-Q B7
4 KtxP B-B4 23 R-Q6 K-K2 ~6 K-B2 R-Kt7 ch
Not 35 RxQRP?, RxKt; 36 BxR, B-QI 5 Kt-Kt, B-Kt, 24 QR-QI R-K4 37 K-B, R-Kt6 ch
ch. 6 KKt-K2 Kt-Q2 ~8 K-Kt4 R-Kt7
Played after long consideration, and yet
39 1'-Kt, P-Kt4
More active than P-K3, as played in the Kt-B4 held out more chance of play
35 BxP 40 Kt(B6)-K4 K-Q4
fifth game. Once White has played his KKt against White's weak Q side. He may have
36 RxQRP ch
to K2 instead of B3, Black is generally well feared 24 ... , Kt-B4; 25 R(Q6)-Q2, KtxB;
41 1'-BI P-Kt5
Safe now, because~6 ... , RxKt; can be advised to seek counter-play by 1'-K4 and 26 R-KI ch, but after 26 ... , K-BI; the
42 P-B6 R-QR7
answered by 37 R-R8 ch. the text-move prepares for this. defence of White's Q side is still not easy.
43 P-B7 R-RI
Now Tal has the chance of complicating P-Kt6
7 P-KR4 P-KR, 44 Kt-R7
36 B-BI the game.
8 Kt-B4 B-R2
n R-R8 .;h K-B2
21 Kt-RI B-Kt~?
If KxKt; 45 Kt-B6 ch, and 46 Kt-K8.
K-K, 9 B-B4 P-K4
38 R-R7 ch
10 Q-K2 Q-K2 And already Black overlooks a simple 45 Kt-Q2 P--K t 7
39 R-R, P-Q4
II PxP QxK1' threat, which could quite well have been 46 K-B~! K-Q5
40 K-B2 B-RI ch
12 B-K, B-QB4 47 K-K2 P-B4
41 K-Kt2 K-Q~ disposed of by R-KI or B-B4.
I~ BxB 48 P-B8=Q RxQ
42 Kt-Kc, BxKt
4~ BxB PxB White cannot avoid the exchan~e of queens, 49 KtxR P-BI
44 KxB K-Q4 for if 13 0-0-0, then BxB; 14 PxB, 50 Kt-K6 ch K-Q4
KKt-B3; and Black completes his develop-
Or K-B6; 51 P-Kt4.
The passed pawn wins easily as the white ment in comfort while White is saddled
king is cut off. with a weak KP. 51 Kt-B4 ch K-Q5
[3 QxQ ch 52 Kt-Ktl Resi~ns
45 R-R7 P-B6
46 R-QB7 K-Q5 14 KxQ KtxB
Resigns II KR-KI Kt-B, GAME 63
16 P-Kt4 QKt-Q2
After considering the position during the 17 K-BI dis. ch Having failed to gain much advantage
adjournment. against the Caro-Kann Defence, Tal ex-
Tal has been able to indulge in tactical play periments with a kind of Reti opening. Not
even with the queens off and as a result he 26 RxKt chi KtxR that he despairs of I P-K4, but probably
GAME 62 now succeeds in delaying the development 27 RxKt ch KxR he had no innovation up his sleeve at the
of Black's KR. However, he has achieved 28 Kt-B6 ch K-Q3 moment. Even in the more solid opening
Botvinnik has frequently played th~ this only at the cost of weakening the Q- 29 KtxR R-Q B4 selected here Tal found the opportunity for
Caro-Kann Defence in recent years and side pawns and it is only now that the ,0 Kt-R6 P-B, a pawn sacrifice, which Botvinnik declined.
here, for the sake of attack with a view to struggle starts in earnest. 31 Kt-Kt4 Bx1'? This led to a quick development of White's

139
attack, and the bishop sacrifice on the 46th II QR-Br Q-Q, Threatening B-B4 and P-Qj, and in any logical hesitation. By 27 ... , QxP; z8 PxP,
move reminds us that not all gold has to
glitter.
12
I, Kt-Kj
KR-QI
KR-QI
QR-BI
case giving the bishop a more effective KtPxP; 29 BxP, R(K2)-B2!; ,0 R(Kj)-K4,
diagonal. So Black decides to withdraw his Q-B,; Black would have ensured an earh
14 Q-Rj! queen. draw. .
RETI OPENING
TAL ROTVINNIK Preparing an attack on Black's centre by 20 Q-RI z8 Q-Q2 Q-Q;
Kt-KB; Kt-KB; P-K4. Hence Black's decision to simplify 29 B-BI! R-Q2!
by exchanges. Not quite as passive and innocent as it
;
P-KKq
B-Ktz
P-KKt;
B-Ktz
14 p).p
looks at first sight. There is a threat
P-QKt4 (possible now that the queen
of
IS
,I
;0 PxP
R(Kj)-K4
RxP
R-B;?
4 0-0 0-0
Ij KtxP Q-Bz
j defending QB3) with the resulting win of Horribly passive! By countering with ,r ... ,
P-B4 P-B; 16 Q-KI! the white QP. White's reply puts paid to R-Q4; he would have ldt White with
6 P-Kt; Kt-K\
that threat. nothing better than p B-B4, leading to
7 P-Q4 P-·Q4 Capablanca would probably have exchanged
multiple exchanges and complete equality.
Reaching a position similar to certain varia- queens in the expectation of a favourable 21 B-Ktj! R-Kr Now Tal assumes direction of the game.
tions of the Grunfeld Defence. The fron- cnd-game. But dynamic players like Tal
tiers between modern openings are often and Alekhine, who have great combinative He has nothing better. If R-Q2, there
ill-defined. Black's counter-play is aimed at strength and prefer the middle-game with would be a constant threat of P-Qj by
White's QB4 and in three more moves in- all its complications, always follow the prin- White. An attack on Black's K; alone would be
teresting developments arise. ciple that if the opponent i;; hard pressed, 22 Q-Q2 insufficient, so he aims to create other
P-·KB4
exchanges should be avoided in order to weaknesses in Black's game.
8 B-Kt2 B-K; z; B-R6
prevent any easing of the problems of de-
9 QKt-Qz 32 K-Kt2
fence. The only move of Tal's to which exception
can be taken. He offers Black the chance 33 P-Rj PxP
Q-Ktr of a relieving exchange in direct conflict 34 R-R4 K-Ktr
with the principle outlined in the note to 35 B-Q;
Making room for the knight.
the r6th move above. R-Kr was stronger.
Like the other bishop earlier, this one
I7
18
P-K4
RxB
BxKt
2, BxB now finds greater scope on a new diagonal.
24 QxB R-K2
2j R-KI R-BI 35 R-Ku
Not 18 PxB, P-QB4! Now if 18 ....
26 R-Bj Q-QI! 36 R-Kj R(B3)-B2
P-QB4; 19 P-Kj, IS strong.
>7 Q-R6 Q-Kz
Kt-B2 Botvinnik has defended himself excellently. ,8 R(K5)xRP
P-K; His 22nd move opened the second rank so
that he could defend his king with his ma-
9 KtxKt jor pieces, he has successfully regrouped his
IO QxKt! forces and by attacking the QP has broqght
A true Tal move. IO . . . , PxP; accepting his queen into effective action. Thus the
the pawn offer, would lead to incalculable chances have once more become equalized.
complications after II Kt-Ktj, PxP; IZ It is, however, a characteristic of Tal's pe-
KtxB, PxKt; 13 PxP, Q-Kt3; 14 Q-K3! Tal culiar talent that he is at once able to find
would then be in hi:; element and Botvin- a continuation which again introduces com-
nik can hardly be blamed for refusing the plications and burdens his opponent with
offer. the need to solve new problems. This is
typical of the "spiteful" nature of his play
10 Kt-R;
A more accurate development was P-KR3 R-Ku
followed by Kt-Q2 so as to keep control Though not a mistake, this is excessively An interesting position with all the forces,
of his K4. zo B-QBr! prudent and betrays some psycho- both of attack and defence. except for the

r4° 14 1
knight, directed at Black's KR2. In eight Like the great painters, Tal too has an eye 68 K-B4! Q-B8 ch 7 0-0 0-0
more moves that will in fact prove to be for an opportunity. Here he sees the main 69 K-Kt4 Q-QR8 8 Q-B2!
the decisive square, but further regrouping point and employs the piece sacrifice to 70 Q-Q5 ch K-BI
is necessary first and in the meantime Black reach it. Black would have done no better 71 K-Bj Q-Kt8 ch More energetic than either P-Kq or R-KI,
i; very hard pressed. by 45 ... , P-R~; because of 46 Q-Kt6, 72 K-B6 Resigns both of which moves would be answered
Kt-Q4; 47 Q-Q8 ch, Q-BI; 48 BxP ch, with 8 ... , Kt-K5!; equali:z.ing.
For after 72 ... , Q-R8 ch; 73 K-K6, White
~8 Kt-Q4 winning by similar means. ~ illvery soon force the exchange of 8 Kt-B3
39 Q-Q2 Kt-B3
46 RxB queens. 9 R-QI
40 R-R6 Q-Q3
41 R-B4! 47 Q-Kt5 ch K-RI
48 Q-Q8 ch K-Kt2 According to Krogius, 9 P-K4, would be
GAME 64 premature on account of 9, •. , PxP; 10
Black sealed the next move, and subse- 49 RxR ch KxR
quent analysis showed that a good defence 50 QxKt ch K-Kt, KtxP, KtxKt; II QxKt, P-K4!; with good
With this win Tal breathed freely at
IS hardly to be found. 51 QxKtP counter-play. On the other hand, Krogius
last. Botvinnik's resistance was broken
IS of the opinion that 9 P-Q5!, was a good
As a result of his combination he has and Tal's advantage increased to fo,ur
41 Q-BI move, to be followed either by 9 ... , PxP;
reached an end-game in which he is two points. The remaining draws were little
42 Q-K~! Kt-Q4 10 PxP, Kt-QKt5; II Q-Kt3, Kt-R3; 12
pawns up and which he wins with accurate more than a matter of form and it can be
4, RxR QxR B-K3, with B-Q4 to follow, or by l) .•• ,
play. safely said that it was after this game that
44 Q- K 5! Kt-K4; 10 PxP, KtxP; II Kt-QKt5, P-Q4;
Tal became the new World Champion.
5I 12 P-Kt3. The text-move is equally an ener-
To be satisfied with the win of a pawn by 52 Q-R6! getic choice.
DUTCH DEFENCE
44 QxP, QxQ; 45 RxQ, would be wrong Not 52 QxRP, Q-K8 ch; 53 K-Kt2, Q-KS TAL BOTVINNIK 9 Q-K2
since Black could then lead into a rook ch; 54 K-R2, Q-K7.
ending by 45 ... , Kt-B5; and White would P-Q B4 P-KB4
As promising as any other move.
have great difficulty in forcing a win. Now, 52 Q-Kt8 ch Kt-KB3 Kt-KB3
however, RxKP is a real threat. 53 K-Ku Q-K 5 ch P-KKt3 P-KKt3 10 R-Ktl
54 K-Bd Q-Kt8 ch
This, the Leningrad variation aims at build-
44 Kt-B2 55 K-K2 Q-B7 ch P-K4 or P-Q5 were equally good, but Tal
ing up positions similar to those in the
45 Q-QB5! wants to establish some threats on the
Now if Q-K5 ch; 56 K-Q2!, QxP ch; 57 King's Indian Defence without the loss of Q side at the same time as he breaks
Curiously enough, the decision is reached Q-Q3 ch. a tempo in playing P-KB4. The drawback
open the centre, relying on Black's limited
by attacks on the two rook's pawns. 56 K-B, Q-B4 ch of the variation is that White is easily able manoeuvring space.
K-K, Q-Kt4 ch te build up a strong centre. However, other
57
45 Q-B6 58 K-K2 Q-R4 ch variations of the Dutch Defence, such as
the Stonewall, were too likely to lead to a
59 K-Q2 K-B3
60 QxBP Q-R4 ch drawn position to suit Botvinnik at this
61 Q-B, QxP ch stage. Unfortunately the Leningrad varia-
62 K-K, K-B2 tion proves an unhappy choice also.
63 P-Q51 4 B-Kt2 B-Ku
Introducing the final chapter with a tem- 5 P-Q4 P-Q~
porary pawn sacrifice. He drives the black 6 Kt-B, P-·K,
king back and then, by threatening mate.
forces the exchange of queens. Against other moves White could play 7
P-Q5!, and cramp Black horribly. But now,
63 PxP seeing Black with a weak KP, Tal mobi-
64 Q-B7 ch K-K, lizes P-K4 as soon as he can, then develops
65 Q-B6 ch K-K2 threats on the Q side, and not only does he 10 P-QR4
66 QxP Q-R8 obtain an advantage in space but also the II P-QR, Kt-QI
46 BxP chI 67 Q-K4 ch K-B2 use of open lines. 12 P-K4!

143
Tal has solved the problems of the opening
in excellent fashion, for he now has a
strong centre and an advantage in space,
while the harmonious co-ordination of his
pieces makes a pleasing impression.
12 1'>.:1'
Rejecting P-K4 because of I~ PxKP, QPxP;
14 B-Ktj, P-B;; Ij P-QKt4, with a posi·
tional pull, or even Ij Kt-QR4, with com-
binative chances.
20 QxP, KtxQP; 2\ RxKt, QxR; 22 BxP ch, A fine move against which there is no de·
an unclear situation would result but pro· fence.
bably with more chances for White than in
the line actually chosen. 34 Q-R6
The alternatives were Q-K5 and R-B7.
The first would be answered by 32 Q-R6!,
and the second by 32 RxQ, RxQ; 33 R-B6,
B-Kt2; 34 R-R6!, BxB; ,I R-K6, with a
winning end-game.
35 B-B7!

I~ KtxP KtxKt The bishop cannot he taken because of

28 B-R2 B-Q4 mate.
14 QxKt Kt-B2
29 BxB PxB
~o BxP P-RI ;5 B-BI
His only sound plan is to play P-K4, which
;1 R-Q~!
the knight move prepares for, but 14 ... ,
The defence could have been prolonged by
Kt-B;; was preferable for the purpose as lIe still has the better game but it is diffi- 3j ... , Q-Q2; ;6 B-Rj, Q-R6; 37 B-B;,
it also shields the QKtP. cult to make use of the extra pawn against though Black's king is still faced with the
20 B-Ktz the major pieces, Tal accordingly resorts to same threats as in the game.
Ij B-R~!
21 Kt-K4! combinative methods.
An unpleasant little move, which shows
why 14 ... , Kt-B~; should have been
Elastically increasing his advantage. First If now ;6 ... , RxB; 37 QxP ch, K-Ktz;
played. Black can now only play P-K4 at
he cramped Black's game, then gradually ;3 Q-K5 ch, and 39 QxR
the cost of a pawn by Ij ... , P-K4; 16
induced weaknesses of which the most glar-
BxB, QRxB; 17 QxKtP, P-Kj; 18 Kt-KI. Q-QBl
ing is that on his K3 and now he changes
the character of the game again. It is at R··RI
Ij
such moments that the opponent is most
16 B-Q2 38 ... , BxP; 39 Q-R7, would expose Black
likely to commit an error, and such changes
Threatening B-B; and hustling Black into are thus an important feature in a fight tu a forced mate.
proceeding with his changed plan. maintained by psychological means.
39 Q-Q2 R-Bl
16 P'·Q4 40 K-Ku Q-Q2
21 KtxKt 41 P-R4 Resigns
Having had to abandon the idea of P-K4, 22 BxKt P-QKt4 ;1
Black finds an alternative which seems to 23 P-Kq! PxP ~2 B-KI Botvinnik actually sealed 41 ... , Q-Ktj;
lead to equality. 24 QxP R-BI 3; Q-K2 but the move was never made for he
21 QxKtP R-Kq ~4 R-KB,! resigned the game before resuming play.
17 Q-K2 PxP
26 Q-K,'"
Or 17 ... , Kt-Q;; 18 Kt-Kj, PxP; 19 B-B4.
with play similar to that in the actual game. 1\ slight inaccuracy which he will lateI
regret. After 26 Q-B2, RxR; 27 QxR, the
18 B-B4 Kt-Q~
win would be easier.
19 Kt-Ktl R-KI

An alternative was to counter-attack on 26 RxR

the white QP with \9 ... , Kt-B4; hut after 27 BxR B-Krz!

1..l5
A CATALOGUE OF SELECTED DOVER BOOKS
IN ALL FIELDS OF INTEREST

A CATALOGUE OF SELECTED DOVER BOOKS
IN ALL FIELDS OF INTEREST
AMERICA'S OLD MASTERS, James T. Flexner. Four men emerged unexpectedly
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