VASILY SMYSLOV
S L S
125 Selected Games
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125 SELECTED GAMES

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Vasily Smyslov

SMYSLOV'S
125 SELECTED
GAMES
By
VASILY SMYSLOV
Ex-World Champion
Translated by
KENNETH P. NEAT
C AIXX ,AN C
LONDON, NEW YORK

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English translation copyright © 1983 K. P. Neat
All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be
reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in
any form or by any means: electronic, electrostatic,
magnetic tape, mechanical, photocopying, recording or
otherwise, without permission in writing from the
publishers.
First published 1983 by Pergamon Press
First Cadogan Books edition 1994
Reprinted 1994
This edition is a translation of
"V Poiskakh Garmonii" 1979 published
by Fizkultura i Sport
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British
Library.
ISBN 1-85744-028-5
Published by Cadogan Books pic, London House,
Parkgate Road, London SW11 4NQ
Cover design by Brian Robins.
Printed and bound in Great Britain by BPC Wheatons, Exeter.

Contents
My Chess Career 1
125 Selected Games 19
Tournament and Match Results 243
Index of Opponents 248
Opening Index 250
Endgame Index 250

Foreword to the English Edition
This book contains games from almost the whole of my career. But meanwhile my
tournament appearances are continuing, and in 1982 I took part in some events of very high class.
One often hears it said that the competitive aspect of chess is becoming more and more
important, and hence that youth must inevitably provide an advantage.
I do not wish to enter into a controversy on the theme of chess and age. I have frequently
stated that I regard chess as an art form, where creativity prevails over other factors.
Instead of a preface I should like to offer the reader two games played by me in 1982. The
first is from the Interzonal Tournament in Las Palmas, where I once more gained the right to
participate in the World Championship Candidates event, and the second is from the
International Grandmaster Tournament in Tilburg, where one of my opponents was Robert
HUbner. Shortly after this we were paired together in the first Quarter-Final Candidates
Match.
I hope that these games will be of some interest to the reader.
Vasily Smyslov
Bogoljubov Defence
Browne-
-Smyslov
Las Palmas Interzonal, 1982
1 d4
2 c4
3 Nf3
4 Bd2
Nf6
e6
Bb4 +
aS
This leads to more complicated play than
the exchange on d2.
5 g3 d5
6 Bg2 dxc4
The start of an interesting plan involving
piece play on the Q-side.
7 Qc2 Nc6
8 Qxc4 Qd5
Now 9 Qd3 would have been met by
9... 0-0 10 Nc3 Qh5 11 0-0 Rd8, with
counterplay.
9 QxdS exdS
10 Nc3 Be6
A good move, strengthening Black's
centre.
11 Rcl a4!
Now ... a3 is a possibility, while if White
plays a2-a3, the b3 square is seriously
weakened.
12 Nb5
White tries to seize the initiative
12 ...
13 Kxd2
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Foreword to the English Edition
13 ... Kd8!
A well-thought-out defensive plan.
14 Ne5 Ra5!
An unexpected reply. Now 15 Rxc6 can
be met by 15 ... Rxb5 16 Rxe6 fxe6
17 Nf7+ Ke7 18 Nxh8 Rxb2+ 19 Kd3
Rxa2, when Black has two passed pawns for
the piece, while the knight at h8 is out of
play and may be lost.
15 Nxc6 +
16 Nc3
bxc6
Ke7
More accurate than 16 ... Kd7, when after
17 b3 axb3 18 axb3 Rb8 19 Na4 the b3
pawn is immune due to the fork 20 Nc5 + .
17 Ndl
18 f3
Kd6
c5
Black commences positive action. After
the exchange of his doubled pawns his king
comes into play.
19 dxc5 +
20 Rxc5
21 Nc3
22 Rcl
Rxc5
Kxc5
Kb4
c5
Black intensifies the pressure on the
Q-side. 22 ... d4 would have been weaker
due to 23 a3 + Kb3 24 Nb5.
23 e3
24 exd4
25 a3 +
d4
cxd4
This natural move avoids the loss of a
pawn, but on the other hand the black king
is able to invade the opposing position.
25 ... Kb3
26 Ndl Bc4
Now 27 ... Re8 is threatened.
27 Nf2 Nd5
On 27 ... Re8 there could have followed
28 Bf 1 Bxf 1 29 Rxf 1 Kxb2 30 Nd3 + Kxa3
31 Ral +
chances.
Kb3 32RM + , with counter -
28 Ne4
If 28 Bfl, then 28 ... Bxfl 29 Rxfl Ne3!
28 ... Ne3
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29 Nc5 +
Ka2!
The king has penetrated deep into the
enemy rear .29 ... Kxb2 was much weaker in
view of 30 Nxa4 +, but now 30 Nxa4 is met
by 30 ... Bb5, winning a piece.
30 Bh3
Bb3
The a4 pawn must be retained.
31 Bd7 Nc4 +
32 Kd3
Here White overstepped the time limit.
After 32... Ne5+ 33 Kxd4 Nxd7
34 Nxd7 Rd8 35 Rc7 Be6 Black wins a
piece.
Catalan Opening
Hiibner-Smyslov
Tilburg, 1982
1 d4 Nf6
2 c4 e6
3 g3 d5

125 Selected Games
4 Bg2
5 Nf3
6 Qa4 +
7 Qxc4
8 Qc2
dxc4
c5
Nbd7
a6
b6
I have had this position several times, but
only when playing White. It is useful for
Black to oppose the g2 bishop with his
bishop at b7, but 8 ... b5 is problematic in
view of 9 Ne5 Nd5 10 Bxd5 exd5 11 Nxd7
Qxd7 12 dxc5 Qc6 13 b4, when White keeps
his extra pawn.
9 Ne5
10 Nc3
11 Nxd5
12 0-0
13 Rdl
14 Qf5
Nd5
Bb7
exd5
Be7
0-0
14 Nxd7 Qxd7 15 Qb3 is not dangerous
for Black, in view of 15 ... Qe6 16 dxc5
Bxc5.
A more natural move for White is 14 Bf4,
completing his development. The move in
the game appears active, but Black has
sufficient defensive resources.
14 ...
15 dxe5
16 e6
Nxe5
Ra7
On 16 Qd3 there could have followed
16 ... Qc7, when 17 Bxd5 Bxd5 18 Qxd5
Rd8 19 Qb3 Rxdl+ 20 Qxdl Qxe5 gives
Black a comfortable game. After 16 e3
Black can gain sufficient counter-play by
16 ... g6 17 Qf4f6 18 e6 Qc8.
16 ...
17 Bxb7
18 e3
19 exd4
d4
Rxb7
Bf6
19
Re7!
A striking manoeuvre. Now 20 d5 fails to
20 ... fxe6, while after 20 exf7+ Rfxf7
21 Qd3 Qxd4! 22 Qb3 c4 Black has active
play.
20 Be3
21 Qg4
fxe6
h5!
In this way Black destroys the
coordination of the enemy pieces, and obtains a
strong passed pawn on the d-file.
22 Qxh5
Forced, since on 22 Qe4 there would have
followed 22 ... cxd4 23 Bxd4 Rd7
24 Qxe6+ Kh8, when the white bishop is
lost.
22 ...
23 Qe2
cxd4
Qd5!
Centralization is one of the basic
principles of strategy. The queen occupies a
splendid post at d5, and the a6 pawn is
sacrificed for the initiative.
24 Qxa6
After 24 f3 e5 25 Bf2 Rc7 Black has a
positional advantage.
24 ...
25 Qa5
26 Bd2
27 Qb4
b5
c5
Ra8
Rea7

Foreword to the English Edition
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For the sacrificed pawn Black has
obtained an excellent position. He is
threatening to win the game by 28 ... Ra4.
28 Bel
If 28 Racl, then 28 ... Rxa2 29 Rc5 Qf3
20 Rdcl Qd3!, when 31 Rxb5 is dangerous
in view of 31 ... Kh7 with a strong attack,
while after 31 Bel Ral Black has the better
game.
28 ...
29 Racl
30 Qc5
31 Rxc5
Rxa2
R2a4
Qxc5
Ral
Black has accurately worked out the
consequences of the transition into the
endgame, where his advantage is sufficient
for a win. If now 32 Rxal Rxal 33 Kfl,
then 33 ... d3 34 Rd5 e4 35 f3 Bxb2 36 fxe4
Bc3, winning the bishop.
32 Reel
33 Rxcl
Rxcl
e4!
This is the point of Black's plan. The
central pawns at d4 and e4 dominate the
position, and White is unable to organize a
defence.
34 Kfl
35 Rbl
36 Bb4
Ra2
Kf7
Ra4
37 Bd2
38 h4
39 Kel
40 h5
41 Bel
42 g4
Ke6
Kd5
Ra2
d3
Bd4
b4
This last move was sealed by Black. It is
readily apparent that White has no useful
moves, for example:
(a) 43 Bd2 Bxb2 44 Bxb4 Bd4 45 Bd2
Bxf2 + , and wins.
(b) 43 Kfl Ra7 44 Be3 Bxe3 45 fxe3
RH+46 Kg2Kc4 47 RdlKb3 48 Rd2Rc7,
and there is no defence against 49 ... Rc2.
Not allowing the rook to be shut in by
37 Ba3.
43 g5
44 Be3
45 fxe3
46 Ral
47 Ra7
Only not 47 ... Rxg5?
48 Ra6
49 Rxg6
50 Kdl
51 Rg8
52 Kd2
Ra8
Bxe3
Rh8
Rxh5
g6
48 Ra5 +
Rh2
Re2 +
Rxe3
Rg3
Kc4
Threatening mate in two moves
53 b3 +
54 g6
55 Ke3
56 Rd8
57 Rc8 +
White resigns
Kxb3
Rg2 +
d2
Kc2
Kdl

My Chess Career
Harmonies of verse are mysterious secrets...
A. N. Maikov
First steps
Alekhine's book My Best Games was my very
first prize for winning a chess event. It was
awarded to me by my Uncle, Kirill Osipovich
Smyslov, a second category player, who gave
me the odds of a rook. I was then seven years
old (I was born on 24th March 1921 in
Moscow), and some six months before this
match my father had taught me to play
chess.
Inside the book is the inscription: "To the
winner of the match, to the future champion
Vasya Smyslov, from Uncle. 29th May 1928".
Even today I still have this book, which is
the only 'document' in the family archives
indicating that I have been playing chess for
more than half a century. During that time
I have won a number of cups, prizes and
medals, all of which are dear to me, of course,
but the present from my Uncle occupies
a special place among them. Alekhine's
excellent book joined my father's small but
intelligently selected chess library, and
together with the other books furthered the
development of my chess views and
inclinations. But more about that later, as first
I should like to share with the reader certain
recollections of my father.
My father, Vasily Osipovich Smyslov, was
born in 1881 in Astrakhan. It would seem
that from his childhood years, spent in the
broad expanses of the Volga, he retained all
his life a love for nature and an attraction
to art, especially music. He possessed quite
a fair baritone singing voice.
In his youth my father lived in St
Petersburg, and studied at the Institute of
Technology, described by grandmaster Levenfish
in his book Selected Games and Reminiscences
as one of the best higher educational
establishments of the time (he entered the Institute
a few years later than my father). Later
Levenfish, my senior partner and co-author
(in 1957 we wrote a book on the theory of
rook endings), recalled that my father had
been a good chess player, and in his student
years was already of first category strength.
On finishing at the institute, my father
became an Economic Engineer, and worked
in the 'Department for the Preparation of
Securities'. Such an unromantic profession
did not prevent him from retaining his
attraction to chess and music. Once he even had
an audition with Shalyapin, at which,
according to family tradition, he won the praises
of the great artist. But it would seem that my
father shared the conviction of a certain
group of people, traditional at that time (and
not only then!), that art, music or especially
chess should not be the main occupation of a
'respectable' person. Nevertheless my father
studied singing seriously, had regular lessons
with a professor, took part in amateur
concerts, and played the piano quite well. And
although he did not become a well-known
singer, he undoubtedly possessed a broad
musical culture and a well-developed artistic
taste.
As to what sort of a chess player he was,
the reader can gain some impression from
a game of his which I have kept, and which
1

My Chess Career
I give below. The notes are by the winner,
and I have not altered them in any way.
My father's opponent was 20-year-old
Alexander Alekhine, the future World Champion,
and at that time already a well-known master.
English Opening
A. A. Alekhine-V. O. Smyslov
St Petersburg Chess Society Toumament,1912
1 c4 e5 2 Nc3 Nf6 3 g3 Bc5 4 Bg2 Nc6 5
a3 a5 6 d3 0-0 7 Nh3 Ne7
With the aim of freeing his game by
8 ... d5.
8 Bg5 Ng6 9 BXf6 QXf6 10 Ne4 Qe7
II NXc5 QXc5 12 Ng5 c6 13 Ne4 Qe7
14c5b6
Bringing the bishop into play.
15 b4
White declines the pawn sacrifice, not
wishing to lose his outpost at d6.
15 ... bXc5 16 bXc5 Rb8 17 0-0 Qe6
18 d4 Ba6 19 dXe5 NXe5 20 f4 Ng4 21 f5
Sacrificing the exchange, in the hope of
obtaining a dangerous attack on the kingj
21 ... Qh6 22 h3 Ne3 23 Qd4 NXfl
24RxflBXe2 25Rf4
This is the point of the combination begun
on move 21.
25 ... Rb3
Probably the best reply, giving Black
strong counter-play. The variations 26 f6,
26 Qxd7 and 26 Rh4 all favour Black.
26 Kf2 Rd3 27 Qb2 Bdl 28 Qbl Rd5
29 Nc3 Rd2+ 30 Kgl Bc2 31 Qcl
A mistake. 31 Qel should have been
played, when it is not easy for Black to win.
But now he returns the exchange, wins the
strong pawn at f5, denies the opponent any
attack, and secures an ending with two extra
pawns.
31 ... RXg2+ 32 KXg2 BXf5 33 g4 Be6
34 Kg3 Qg5 35 Qe3 b5 36 h4 Qg6 37 g5 Rb8
38 Rf3 Rb3 39 Qcl Bg4 40 Re3 Qf5 41 Qgl
In the faint hope of Black blundering by
41 ... QXc5?42Re8+.
41 ... RXc3 White resigns.
I was born when my father was 40 years
old. By that time, together with my mother
Ekaterina Mikhailovna, he was living in
Moscow, the department in which he worked
having been moved there after the revolution.
Our family lived in a small flat in an old
house, not far from my father's place of
work, on the outskirts of the capital. The
highlight of our every-day life was a
"Schroder" piano, on which my father used to play.
He began teaching me the piano and chess.
My older brother, Nikolai, did not display
any inclination for these pursuits. We went
to the same school, and, despite our age
difference of eighteen months, were in the
same class. My brother was fascinated by
technology, even built his own wireless sets,
and was always fiddling about with
components which were quite incomprehensible to
me, with his soldering iron, and so on. It is
true that he also loved music, and was able
to draw and to play chess, but his main
fascination was radio engineering. And later
it was to become his profession.
In chess—and I immediately became
carried away with it—for the next few years
my father was to be my sole teacher and
opponent.
From the very start he instilled in me a love
for so-called 'simple' positions, with the
participation of only a few pieces. It is they
2

125 Selected Games
that enable an inexperienced player not only
to understand, but also to gain a deep
'feeling' for what each piece is capable of.
Perhaps I rather overrate this factor, but
even so I am inclined to think that it played
an important role in my development as
a chess player. Because to remember how the
pieces move is not difficult, whereas to sense
their peculiarities, their strength and
impotence in different situations on the board,
the limits of their possibilities, what they
'like' and what they 'don't like', and how
they behave in the various conflicts of their
chess fate—to understand and 'feel' all this
is much more difficult, and also much more
important. Later, when a player grasps the
technique of the game, and acquires the
necessary knowledge—and this is accessible
to anyone—such a 'mutual understanding'
between him and the pieces under his control
liberates his thoughts, enabling him to see
that which often remains concealed to
purely logical analysis. It is then that there
manifests itself that innate ability of a player,
which I call a sense of harmony.
A person's sense of harmony is endowed
by nature. It remains with him for ever, and
is a weapon he can use at all stages of the
game, in the most complex situations on the
board.
I do not know how justified and how
universally suitable these ideas are, or to what
extent my father was guided by them. Most
probably, he was following a tried and tested
teaching method—'from the simple to the
complicated', and possibly Capablanca's
recommendation to begin studying chess with
the endgame. At that time Capablanca's
book Chess Fundamentals was reprinted
several times in a Russian translation.
For me these ideas proved to be both
justified, and suitable. I am glad that I became
a grandmaster during my father's lifetime
(he died in 1943), and he could see that his
efforts had not been in vain.
The search for a style
My study of chess was accompanied by a
strong attraction to music, and it was
probably thanks to this that from childhood I
became accustomed to thinking of chess as
an art, and have never regarded it as anything
else, for all the science and sport involved
in it. And, moreover, an art which in some
ways is much closer to music than it is
customary to think. Perhaps chess and music
are drawn together by laws of harmony and
beauty which are difficult to formulate and
difficult to grasp, or perhaps by something
else. This philosophical aspect of the game
is one which nowadays I think about
particularly often.
I studied chess a lot in my childhood.
I could sit at the board for eight hours, and
sometimes even more. How I managed to
find time for all this, I myself don't
understand, because I was not particularly well
organized. But I managed... Perhaps in
one's youth the days seem longer?..
Up to the age of fourteen I studied chess
only at home, and did not think of taking
part in tournaments. But I passionately read
chess books. Their authors became my main
teachers, once I began playing on equal terms
with my father (at first I used to be given
a start—a queen, a rook, all the usual odds).
The first chess book that I read was
Dufresne's self-tutor, published with Lasker's
lectures Common Sense in Chess as an
appendix. From it I became acquainted with the
romantic games of the old masters and with
the gambit style of play. These were the games
of Morphy, Anderssen, Steinitz, Chigorin,
Zukertort, Blackburne, Gunsberg, and other
great players from the past. The impression
made by them was stunning. A wealth of
combinational ideas, a contempt for danger,
the brilliance of swift attacks—and all this
on the basis of exact strategical thought,
almost always accessible and understandable.
■x

My Chess Career
Soon came the turn of other books, with
games by other masters, full of deep and
complex ideas. These were the games of
Lasker, Capablanca, Alekhine, Tarrasch,
Rubinstein and Nimzowitsch. Among my
favourite books, it will not be out of place to
recall My Best Games by Alekhine, Chess
Fundamentals by Capablanca, Die Moderne
Schachpartie by Tarrasch, and Nimzowitsch's
My System.
Of course, I have not listed all the books
and magazines which I read then, in the early
1930s. There is no need to. My father's
library contained everything, so to speak, of
an everyday nature (I think that there were at
least a hundred titles), and I made a thorough
study of this library. Thus I as though traced
the evolution of chess thought, and repeated
its basic steps in my own development. I am
convinced that any player with high
ambitions should follow such a path. Despite the
development of theory, there is much that
remains secret and unexplored in chess.
In order to attempt to step even a little
further, you must first of all understand what
is the limit reached by your predecessors.
In my opinion, the style of a player should
not be formed under the influence of any
single great master.
A strong impression was made on me by
Tarrasch's Die Modeme Schachpartie.
Although he was an outstanding player in his
heyday, he was not one of that vanguard
of chess thinkers, who blaze new trails and
open new chess horizons. A popularizer of
Steinitz's ideas, Tarrasch made them
accessible to ordinary players. Thanks to him I was
able to understand and evaluate at its true
worth the importance of the theory of Steinitz,
the first chess philosopher. I also gleaned
many interesting ideas from the books of
Nimzowitsch, Tarrasch's temperamental and
talented opponent (especially splendid is
My System). And, of course, first and
foremost from the games of the great masters
Chigorin and Alekhine, who were able to
reveal unusual concrete ideas in a position.
In general that period—the early and
mid-1930s—was an extremely interesting one
in chess history. Still in the memory were
impressions of the historic Alekhine-Capa-
blanca match of 1927, which excited the entire
chess world, and I, who was then attempting
to grasp the secrets of chess, pondered over
their games, trying to penetrate into the deep
ideas of these great masters. That was a time
when arguments were raging on the
ideological essence of chess, and when opening theory
was being enriched by new discoveries.
In striving to absorb the entire 'aroma of
the times', I did not seek individual moves,
even though they might be beautiful or
unexpected, but ideas and conceptions; I wanted
to get to the heart of the matter, to grasp the
logic of the development of events on the
board, both in games by players from the
past, and in the games of contemporary
masters. Under the influence of these events,
arguments, diametrically opposed opinions
and theoretical discoveries, my playing style
was formed, a style which many consider
universal. The combination of opposing
influences made it such, or, at any rate,
saved it from being too one-sided.
In 1935 and 1936 my father and I were
present at the Moscow International
Tournaments. I was especially attracted by the play
of Lasker and Capablanca, whose names,
even in their lifetimes, were legendary.
Capablanca's play was notable for its unique
intuition, and for its easy and spontaneous
manner. Lasker, in contrast, did not get up
from the board, and fought with enormous
energy in every game. The philosophy of the
struggle was his basic creed.
In the summer of 1935 I first participated
in an official chess event. Perhaps this is too
grand an epithet for a tournament of unrated
players, but it is undoubtedly a fair one.
The tournament was held in the summer
4

125 Selected Games
chess club of the central Gorky park, and
did not cause me much trouble, nor did two
others which followed it. By the end of the
summer I was already a third category player,
and things might have gone further, had
not... the summer ended. However, from
then on there were no lengthy intervals
between my appearances. In the autumn
I joined the Moskvoretsky House of
Pioneers. I again played successfully, and
dreamed of reaching the greatest heights. I recall
how in 1935, when Alekhine had lost his
match to Euwe, a school friend asked me:
"Vasya, would you like to be Alekhine?"
"The vanquished—no!", was my childishly
independent reply.
I think that determination and a definite
goal are always needed in life, whereas
independence comes with age Especially
since I had in mind then not the World
Championship, but discovering the secret
of chess, the secr|t of the victories by the
great masters.
In the next year or two I reached first
category status, which at that time was no
mean achievement. The title of candidate
master did not yet exist, and the strongest
first category players were close to master
standard, with many of them subsequently
becoming well known masters.
By that time my style of play had already
been formed in general terms. My tastes,
both chess and musical, had been inherited
from my father. In music I am an admirer of
the classics, especially vocal. I love classical
opera and classical romance. In such music
I see and feel the striving of the composer
to express his idea in a single, unique form.
Strict beauty and harmony, spontaneity and
elegance, the faultless intuition of the artist,
the absolute mastery of technique and
therefore complete independence from it—this is
my ideal. In chess I am also a staunch
supporter of classical clarity of thought. The
content of a game should be a search for
truth, and victory a demonstration of its
Tightness. No fantasy, however rich, no
technique, however masterly, no penetration
into the psychology of the opponent,
however deep, can make a chess game a work of
art, if these qualities do not lead to the main
goal—the search for truth. Taken on their
own, they merely point to the striking talent
of their possessor, and nothing more.
This conviction, which was instilled in me
from childhood, also predestined the early
forming of my playing style. At the age of
fifteen or sixteen I used to play exactly as
I do now. Of course, with various reservations,
and with allowances for age and experience,
but in general terms just the same: in a chess
game I always sought not only victory, but
also the triumph of logic.
A considerable role in the forming of my
style was played by an early attraction to
study composition. I loved trying to solve
studies, giving preference to positions which
were close to practical play. What attracted
me in studies was the striking and unexpected
idea. I even tried composing studies myself,
and my first compositions to appear in print
relate to this time.
64, 1936
White to play and win
1 Nd6+ Kb8 2 Rbl+ Ka8 3 Ne8 Qg3 +
4 Ka4 Bd4 5 e5! Bxe5 (5 ... Qxe5 6
h8=Q) 6 Nc7+, and wins.

My Chess Career
"In this simple study the author has
succeeded in expressing one of the typical
problem ideas"—this was the assessment
given by the newspaper.
Shakhmaty v SSSR, 1937
Honourable mention
White to play and draw
1 Nh8+ Kg8.
If 1 ... Kf8, then 2 Ng6+ Kg8 3 Ne7+
Kf7 4 fxg7 Kxg7 5 Nf5+ and 6 NXd4.
2 17+ Kf8 3 Kg6 a2 4 Kh7 al=Q.
On 4 ... g6 there follows 5 Bf4 Bxf4
6 NXg6+ KXH 7 NXf4 al=Q 8 g6+
Ke7 9 b8=Q.
5g6.
Now White's knight and king are immured,
and to draw it is sufficient for him to give
up his bishop and b-pawn. In spite of his
extra queen, Black is not able to prevent this.
If 5 ... Nc5, then 6 Bf4!
5 ...Qhl!
The queen tak<^ up an ambush position,
so as to answer 6 Bb4+ with 6 ... Bd6 mate.
6 Bh6! Be5.
If 6 ... Ke7, then 7 Bg5+ Kd7 8 f8=
QBd6 + 9 Kg8 Bxf8 10 b8=Q.
7b8=Q + BXb8—stalemate!
The idea of the following study was
provided by my own praxis. A similar position
occurred in one of my games.
64, 1938
1 f5 gxf5 2 Bh3 Re8! 3 eXf5.
Not 3 c7 Bc8 4 Bxf5 Ke7 or 4 exf5 f6,
when Black draws.
3 ... Bc8 4 f6! Bxb3 5 c7 a5 6 Rd8.
But not 6 a4 because of 6 ... Kg8 7 Rd8
Rf8 8 Kc2 Bg4 9 Kc3 Be6.
6 ... a4 7 Kb2 Be6 8 Kc2! (zugzwangl)
8 ... Bf5+ 9 Kc3 Be610 a3, and wins.
Shakhmaty v SSSR, 1938
4th prize
119 B & &
White to play and draw
lBf6+eXf6 2f4Rh8+.
If 2 ... Rb8, then 3 Kg6 Rb2 4 h6 etc.
3 Kg7 Rxh5 4 a4 Rg5+ 5 Kb8! Kh5 6
Kh7 Rg6 7 Kh8 Rh6+ 8 Kg7 Rg6+ 9 Kh8
(9 Kh7 loses to 9 ... Rg5!) 9 ...
Kh6—stalemate !
Black is unable to realize his big material
6

125 Selected Games
advantage. The 'fortress' theme has been
accomplished in natural form.
I still retain my interest in studies. In April
1976, when participating in the USSR Team
Championship in Tbilisi, I met the well known
Georgian study composer Nadareishvili, and
I again felt the urge to compose studies.
Soon I had composed two twin-studies,
which I dedicated to Nadareishvili.
Pravda, 1976
White to play and win
lf7!
White fails to win after 1 Bb4 Kd3 2 Kel
(or 2f7 Bd2) 2 ... f3 3 gxf3 e2 4 f7 Bf4, or
1 Bel Kd3 2 Bxh4 Kd2 3 Bel+ Kdl 4 f7
Ba3 5 Bc3Bc5!etc.
1 ... Ba3 2 Bg7.
2 Bb2 would be a loss of time: 2 ... Bf8
3 Ke2 Kd5 4 Bf6 Ke6 5 Bxh4 Kxf7, with a
draw.
2 ... f3! (preparing a stalemate trap)
3 gxf3.
3 f8 = Q fails to 3 ... Bxf8 4 Bxf8
e2+ 5 Kf2 fxg2.
3 ... Kd3 4 f8 = B!
The hasty 4 f8=Q e2+ 5 Kf2 (5 Kel
BxjS 6 Bxf8 Ke3, and the white pawns are
captured) 5 ... Bc5+ ! 6 Qxc5 el = Q+ ! 7
Kxel leads to stalemate.
4 ... e2+.
If 4 ... Bel, then 5 Bh6 Bd2 6 Kg2 Bel
7 Bc5 e2 8 Bf2, and wins.
5 Kf2 el=Q+! 6 KXel Ke3 7 f4! Kxf4
8 Kf2 Bel 9 Bh6+, and the battle of the
three like-coloured bishops concludes in
White's favour.
Pravda, 1976
White to play and draw
Here we see the device, very common in
study composition, of change of goal.
Ic6!
Not 1 Ke6 c2 2 d6 cl = Q 3 d7+ Kc7 4
Bg3+ Kc6 5 d8=Q Qc4+ 6 Kf5 Qd5+, and
Black wins.
1...C2.
If 1 ... bxc6, then 2 Ke6 cXd5 3 Kxd5
c2 4 Bb2 Bd2 5 Kc6.
2 Bd2 Bb2 3 d6! b> c6 4 Ke6 cl=Q 5
d7+ Kc7! 6 Bf4+ Qxf4 7 d8=Q+Kxd8—
stalemate.
Or 4 ... cl = B! 5 d7+ Kc7 6 d8=Q+
Kxd8 7 Kd6 c5 8 Kxc5 Kc7 9 Bel! Now
the white king occupies a2, and the draw is
obvious, since the two like-coloured bishops
cannot catch White's bishop.
My fascination for studies proved highly
beneficial; it assisted the development of my
aesthetic understanding of chess, and
improved my endgame play.
From my first tournament encounters I did
not avoid going into the endgame, since I had
a mastery of the technique of realizing an
advantage. Therefore I did not complicate
matters unnecessarily, and did not aim for
7

My Chess Career
effects, but played, as they say, 'according to
the position'. Having grasped its essence, I
would seek the best move in conformity with
my plan. And that is the way I play now.
But it is time to turn from words to action,
and to show the reader one of my early
games, in which there was both an attack,
and an ending.
French Defence
Smyslov-Rudnev
Ail-Union 1st Category Tournament
Gorky, 1938
1 e4e62d4d53Nc3 dXe4 4 Nxe4 Nd7 5
NI3 Ngf6 6 Bd3 NXe4 7 BXe4 Nf6 8 Bg5
Be7 9 Bxf6 Bxf6.
"By this move Black gives up the battle
for the e4 square. Now the strong position of
the bishop at e4 hinders the development of
his Q-side. Correct was 9 ... gXf6, so as to
play ... f5 at a convenient moment"—that
was what I wrote in 1938, in my comments
on this game for the newspaper 64. Apart
from the last phrase, in which one hears the
excessive categoricalness typical of youth, I
would write exactly the same today. Of
course, 9 ... gxf6, which spoils Black's
pawn formation, has its drawbacks. But the
opening variation chosen by Black, although
it enables him to avoid weaknesses in his
position, dooms him to a lengthy defence and
holds no promise of active counter-play.
10 c3 Qd6 11 Qe2.
White prevents the freeing pawn advances
... e5 and, for the moment, ... c5, while
simultaneously preparing Q-side castling.
11 ... 0-0 12 0-0-0. (See diagram
previous column.)
The strategic essence of the position has
taken shape, dictating an attack for White on
the K-side, and for Black—a counter-attack
on the Q-side. But Black is behind in
development, and therefore his counter-play is
delayed.
12 ... c5 13 Kbl cxd4 14 Nxd4 Qb6 15
f4 Bd7 16 Qc2.
Before beginning a pawn storm, White
wishes to provoke a weakening of the black
king's position. All in accordance with the
laws of the chess classics!
16 ... h6 17 Nf3.
This move testifies to my circumspection.
The direct continuation of the attack by
17 g4 Rfc8 promises nothing after 18 g5
Bxd4 19 Rxd4 Qxd4, while complications
set in after 18 Nb3 Bc6 19 h4 a5 20 g5 Bxc3
21 bxc3 a4.
17 ... Bc6 18 Bxc6 QXc6 19 h4.
The offensive begins. The threat is 20 Ng5
g6 21 Ne4 Be7 22 h5.
19 ... Rfd8 20 Rdfl Qc4.
The counter-attack by ... b5 is clearly too
late, so Black consistently continues to aim
for exchanges and to go into an ending.
21 g4 Qd3.
Accepting the pawn sacrifice would have
been extremely risky, for example: 21 ...
QXf4 22 g5 Be7 23 Nd4 Qe3 24 Rf3 Qe5
25 gXh6, with a dangerous attack.
22 g5 QXc2+ 23 Kxc2 Be7.
If 23 ... hxg5, then 24 hXg5 Be7 25 Rh3
Bd6 (or 25 ... Bc5 26 b4 Bb6 27 Ne5, with
the threat of 28 Nd7 Rxd7 29 Rfhl) 26 f5
exf5 27 Rfhl Kf8 28 Nd4 g6 29 Ne6+!
24 gXh6 gxh6 25 f5 eXf5 26 Nd4.
x

125 Selected Games
The attack has not brought White victory,
but 'merely' a better ending, in which I was
able to demonstrate quite good technique.
26 ... Rd6 27 Nxf5 Re6 28 Rhgl+ Kh8.
On 28 ... Kf8 I had prepared a convincing
refutation: 29 Rg7 Bxh4 30 Rh7 Kg8 31
RXh6 Rxh6 32 Nxh6+ Kh7 33 NXf7,
and Black's king is so far from the Q-side
that he is unable to set up a defence.
29 Rel Bc5 30 Rgfl Rae8 31 RXe6 Rxe6.
Now the black rook is left alone, and will be
tied to the defence of the weak K-side pawns,
whereas all the white pieces are full of energy.
32 b4 Bb6 33 Rdl Rf6.
The intrusion of the rook at d7 was
threatened.
34 Rd5 Bf2 35 h5.
White has consolidated his gains. Against
the massed oflfensive of all his forces on the
Q-side, Black has no defence.
35 ... b6 36 Kd3 a6 37 c4 Rc6 38 a4.
First a phalanx of three white pawns
stormed the K-side, and now a similar
phalanx attacks on the Q-side.
38 ... Bel 39 b5 axb5 30 aXb5 Re6
41 Rd6 Rxd6+ 42 Nxd6 Kg7.
It is all over. After 42 ... f6 the finish
would have been roughly the same: 43 Nf5
Kh7 c5 bxc5 45 b6 Ba5 46 b7 Bc7 47 Kc4,
and White promotes first his b-pawn and
then his h-pawn.
43 c5 Resigns.
43 ... bXc5 is of course answered by 44
b6Ba5 45b7Bc7 46Ne8 + .
Hard chess battles
My chess youth concluded at the same time
that I finished middle school in 1938. Early
in the year I became Youth Champion of the
country, and the chief controller of the
tournament, grandmaster Levenfish,
ceremoniously awarded me my first real prize—an
inscribed clock, which still, more than forty
years later, continues to count out the time of
my chess career. After the youth tournaments
came others, now among adults. At the end
of the year I shared first place in the Moscow
Championship with the master Belavenets,
and was awarded the master title.
Now came the time of severe tests in
meetings with the best players, the time of
fascinating battles in interesting and difficult events.
In 1940 I took part in the 12th USSR
Championship Final, which was held in Moscow,
in the Grand Hall of the Conservatory. It was
a very strong tournament. I did well, finishing
third behind Bondarevsky and Lilienthal,
with only half a point separating me from
first place.
Here I met Botvinnik at the chess board
for the first time. Our game was notable for
its tense struggle, and ended in a draw. At
that time I could not have guessed that this
meeting would be the start of a rivalry lasting
100 games, which were played subsequently
9

My Chess Career
in various events and in three matches for the
World Championship.
Soon a Match-Tournament was held in
Moscow and Leningrad among six
contenders for the title of absolute champion of the
country. The tournament was held in four
cycles, and I again took third place.
In accordance with the norms in existence,
for these two successes I was awarded the
title of USSR grandmaster, and thus at the
age of twenty I became one of the strongest
players in the Soviet Union. However, there is
nothing surprising in this. The journey
towards perfection is especially rapid in one's
younger years, it proceeds in tireless search-
ings and battles, and continues as long as
creative thought is still burning.
I combined the study of opening theory
with research into new ideas. A big influence
on me was made by Chigorin's games, a.nd by
his ideas in the Ruy Lopez. In the 1943
Moscow Championship, in a game with
Yudovich (White), I first employed a new
system of play.
1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 a6 4 Ba4 Nf6
5 0-0 Be7 6 Rel b5 7 Bb3 d6 8 c3 0-0 9 h3
Nd7 10 d4 Bf6.
By pressurizing the d4 pawn, Black hinders
the standard manoeuvre Nbd2-f 1.
11 Be3. Subsequently the strong retort 11
a4! was found here.
11 ... Ne7 12 Nbd2 Bb7 13 Qe2 c5 14
dxc5 dXc5 15 Nh2 c4 16 Bc2 Ng6 17 Ndfl
Qc7. From the opening Black has obtained
an excellent position.
I frequently employed this system of
development in subsequent appearances.
The Ruy Lopez occupied a constant place
in my opening repertoire. In it is reflected the
classical interpretation of the problem of the
centre. The opening strategy of the pawn
centre is the cornerstone laid by the masters
of the past, in whose games the Ruy Lopez
occupied an exceptional place. It is not worth
listing the names of all the great masters who
have made their contribution to the
development of ideas in the Ruy Lopez. I will
restrict myself merely to mentioning the
World Champions: Lasker, Capablanca and
Alekhine.
For me the Ruy Lopez has always remained
a topical opening, and in it I have tried the
most varied systems. Of the new ideas worked
out by me, I will mention two.
Here is a system of defence which achieved
recognition and bears my name: 1 e4 e5
2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 a6 4 Ba4 Nf6 5 0-0 Be 7
6 Rel b5 7 Bb3 d6 8 c3 0-0 9 h3 b6! 10 d4 Re8
11 Nbd2 Bf8 (Tal-Smyslov, Baku 1962).
This regrouping of the pieces earned the
right to exist alongside Chigorin's classical
plan of 9 ... Na5 10 Bc2 c5 11 d4 Qc7.
Another system received its baptism of fire
at the 1959 Candidates Tournament in
Yugoslavia: 1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 a6
4 Ba4 Nf6 5 0-0 Be7 6 Rel b5 7 Bb3 d6
8 c3 0-0 9 h3 Qd7 (Keres- Smyslov).
10

125 Selected Games
10 d4 Re8. Now on 11 Ng5 there could have
followed 11 ... Nd8. This is the point of
9 ... Qd7.
11 a4 Bb7, and Black achieved a good game.
I am a staunch supporter of the classical
manner of play, and think that, for a deep
understanding of chess, a knowledge of the
chess classics is essential.
The battle for the world championship
The first international tournament in which
I participated was in Groningen (Holland) in
1946.
This event was of great importance: third
place in the tournament (behind Botvinnik
and Euwe) opened the way for my
participation in the battle for the World Championship.
The International Chess Federation named
six grandmasters who had the right to battle
for the supreme title. One of those invited—the
American grandmaster Fine—at the last
minute declined to participate, and in 1948
the Match-Tournament was held with five
grandmasters competing: Ex-World
Champion Euwe, Botvinnik, Keres, Reshevsky and
Smyslov. It was staged in two towns—The
Hague and Moscow.
I made thorough preparations for this
highly important event.
In one of the variations of the Griinfeld
Defence I worked out the following system of
defence: 1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 g6 3 Nc3 d5 4 Nf3 Bg7
5 Qb3 dxc4 6 QXc4 0-0 7 e4 Bg4 8 Be3
Nfd7.
The point of the plan, involving the transfer
of the king's knight to b6, and the
development of the other knight at c6, lies in piece
pressure on White's pawn centre.
I wasn't able immediately to uphold the
correctness of my opening idea. Its first
practical testing was a severe one: in the game
against Botvinnik in Groningen I suffered
a disappointment. But before the 1948
Match-Tournament I succeeded in improving
the system, which subsequently received wide
recognition and in opening theory was named
after me. Typical of this system is my game
from the Match-Tournament against Euwe
(No. 18), where in a lively piece battle the
black knights got the better of the two white
bishops.
In this same tournament, when preparing
for a game with White against Euwe, I took
note of the game Keres-Reshevsky, played
somewhat earlier in the event.
11

My Chess Career
1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 a6 4 Ba4 Nf6
5 0-0 Nxe4 6 d4 b5 7 Bb3 d5 8 dXe5 Be6
9 Qe2 (this move was popular in the
tournament) 9 ... Nc5 10 Rdl NXb3 11 axb3 Qc8
(Reshevsky's move). (See diagram previous
page.)
The game continued 12 Bg5 h6 13 Bh4 Bc5
14 Nc3 g5 15 Bg3 Qb7! 16 NXd5 0-0-0, and
for the sacrificed pawn Black obtained an
excellent position.
I was confident that Euwe, whose repertoire
included the Open Variation of the Ruy
Lopez, would employ Reshevsky's patent,
and I prepared an innovation. And indeed,
we reached the position in the diagram, when
there followed 12 c4!
The idea of this move came to me very
quickly. White, by sacrificing a pawn, aims
to occupy the key square e4 with his queen.
Analysis convinced me that after 12 ... dXc4
13 bxc4 BXc4 14 Qe4 it would not be easy
for Black to complete his development.
That is what happened in the game, which
continued 14 ... Ne7 15 Na3 c6 16 NXc4
bXc4 17 QXc4 Qb7.
18 e6 f6 19 Rd7 Qb5 20 Qxb5 cXb5 21
Nd4 Rc8 22 Be3 Ng6 23 RXa6 Ne5 24 Rb7
Bc5 25 Nf5 0-0 26 h3, and Black resigned.
Thus sometimes successful preparation for
a game can ease the path to victory at the chess
board.
The winner of the tournament, who also
became World Champion, was Mikhail
Botvinnik. I took second place. I was then
27 years old, and the next ten years, from
1948 to 1958, were the period of my battle for
the title of World Champion. These years
demanded of me complete, and at times
excessive, spiritual and physical effort. Of
course, anyone who sets himself the task of
becoming the best player in the world, and
who has the necessary qualities for this, has
no right to expect an easy life! 1 think that
that is how things are in other fields of human
endeavour.
In order to achieve the cherished goal, 1
first had to earn the right to a match with
World Champion Mikhail Botvinnik. The
first barrier on the way to this was the 1950
Candidates Tournament in Budapest. In it
victory was shared by Boleslavsky and Bron-
stein, and, after an additional play-off
between them, the right to play a match for the
World Championship went to Bronstein.
The Botvinnik-Bronstein match took place
in 1951 in Moscow, and ended with a score
of 12-12.
Third place in the Budapest Tournament
gave me the automatic right to a place in the
next Candidates Tournament. In preparing
for the new cycle of the battle for the World
Championship, I devoted my main attention
to theoretical preparation. I had to systemize
my opening knowledge, and to find and
analyze new continuations. Since the battle for the
world crown lasts for years, such a race
cannot even be called a marathon. Anyone who
himself wishes, or is forced by circumstances,
to cover this infinitely long distance with full
intensity at each stage is not to be envied.
My performance in the 1953 Candidates
Tournament in Zurich proved successful.
1 not only took first place, but also felt fine
after the twenty-eight games. And yet I had
to overcome such brilliant grandmasters as
Paul Keres, Samuel Reshevsky, David
Bronstein, Max Euwe, Svetozar Gligoric, Miguel
Najdorf, Isaak Boleslavsky, Efim Geller and
Tigran Petrosian ....
Botvinnik once said that a match for the
12

125 Selected Games
World Championship is a year of one's life,
exclusively devoted to chess. At that time, of
course, I could not have guessed that I would
be faced with three matches, and all with
Botvinnik. Time has given rise to two classic
forms of chess event, the tournament and the
match. It is in a match, a confrontation
between two individuals, that exceptional will-
to-win is required. Our 1954 match proved
very characteristic in this respect.
In preparing for the meeting with
Botvinnik, I studied his favourite schemes, as well
as his methods of opening preparation.
Botvinnik used to prepare single-mindedly
for a specific opponent. He openly spoke
about this, and it was confirmed in practice.
No doubt the World Champion regarded
such a method not only as correct, but
also as the only one worthy of
consideration.
My preparations for the match with
Botvinnik reflected my fundamental views on
chess. Of course, I took account of my
opponent's individual chess nature and tastes,
but nevertheless I did not limit myself to
psychology alone, but studied all
ramifications of the opening schemes, aiming for
a broad and objective evaluation of the
position. This difference in approach to the
problem of opening preparation is curiously
reflected in the fourteenth game of the match
(No. 37).
Moscow,
1954
Botvinnik
Smyslov
1
1
0
2
1
0
3
i
i
4
1
0
5
i
*
6
i
i
7
0
1
S
}
1
9
0
1
10
0
1
11
0
1
12
1
0
13
1
0
14
0
1
15
1
0
16
1
0
17
i
>
2
z
IS
1
>
1
t
19
i
>
i
z
20
0
1
21
1
>
1
2
22
2
1
>
23
0
1
24
i
2
1
2
Total
12
12
Moscow,
1957
Botvinnik
Smyslov
i
0
1
2
i
*
3
i
i
4
1
0
5
1
0
6
0
1
7
1
*
8
0
1
9
\
i
10
i
t
i
1
11
*
i
12
0
1
13
1
0
14
i
l
i
15
i
2
1
2
16
i
2
1
2
17
0
1
18
i
z
i
2
19
i
2
1
2
20
0
1
21
i
2
1
2
22
i
2
1
>
Total
%
12*.
As can be seen, the match began badly
for me, as Botvinnik went into a 3y-j lead.
Despite this unhappy start, I did not lose
faith in my powers, proceeding from the firm
conviction that one should be philosophical
with regard both to failures, and to successes.
Here I should like to recall the words of my
singing teacher. K. V. Zlobin, who had
enormous experience of life and a clear mind. He
lived for 92 years, and loved to say: "Do
what you are supposed to, and what will
happen will happen". For my determination
I was rewarded with three successive wins,
and the battle flared up with new strength.
The match ended in a 12-12 draw. In
accordance with the rules in existence, this result gave
the advantage to the World Champion, who
retained his title. In turn, the result convinced
me that I was capable of winning the chess
crown. But a new match for the World
Championship demanded a new victory in
the Candidates Tournament.
This tournament took place in Amsterdam
in 1956. The battle became especially fierce
in the second cycle, when three rounds from
the finish Keres was level with me, with
Geller and Bronstein half a point behind, and
Spassky and Petrosian trailing by a further
half point. In this sharp situation I won a very
tense game against Bronstein, then drew with
13

My Chess Career
Spassky, and success in the final game with
Pilnik gave me victory in the tournament.
Thus, for the second time I had won the
right to a match for the World
Championship.
The experience of my previous match
with Botvinnik proved useful, and I had
a clear impression of the difficulty of the
coming encounter. Fate had granted me
a rare opportunity—that of contesting the
World Championship title for a second time.
This obliged me to battle with the utmost
composure and energy.
The very first game gave me a win, and
proved to be a good omen. Then, in the fourth
and fifth games, it was the World Champion
who was successful, but after the sixth the
score in the match was levelled. After a win
in the eighth game I no longer surrendered
the initiative right up to my overall victory
in the match.
If one talks about the creative side of the
match, my play had become more steady and
harmonious. This was assisted by the
analytical work on studying the openings and the
middlegame positions resulting from them.
However, the important role of opening
preparation is widely known, and I should like
to dwell in more detail on the endgame.
Nowhere does logic of thought reveal itself
so clearly as in the concluding stage of the
game. Not without reason did the great
players from the past devote considerable
attention to endings. In grasping the secrets
of their mastery, I realized that the path to
the heights of chess lies through an
understanding of the laws of the endgame.
An instructive ending occurred in the
seventeenth game of the match, where Botvinnik
was playing White.
Black's chances are better. His passed
pawn restricts the mobility of the knight, and
in addition the h4 pawn is under attack.
There followed:
44Kf3.
The loss of a pawn is inevitable. White
hopes for a 'fortress', assuming that it will
not be easy for the black king to find a way
through his defensive lines.
44 ... KXh4 45 Nel g5 46 fXg5 KXg5
47 Nc2 Bd6 48 Nel.
Waiting tactics. Better was 48 a3 Kh4 49
b4 a4 50 b5 Bc7 51 Nel, when the passed
b-pawn restricts the bishop. A possible
variation is: 51 ... Kg5 52 Nc2 (not 52 Ke2
Kg4) 52 ... Kf6 53 Ke2 Bd6 54 Kd3 Ke7
55 KXc3 Kd7 56 Nel BXa3 57 Nd3! Kc7
58 Nf4 Kb6 59 NXe6 KXb5 60 Nc7+
Kc6 61 Ne6 Bd6 62 Ng7 Kb5 63 NXf5
Bb4+ 64 Kc2 Kc4 65 Nh6, and White's
tenacious defence should allow him to draw.
48 ... Kh4 49 Nc2 Kh3 (the king threatens
a deep by-passing manoeuvre) 50 Nal.
If 50 a3, then 50 ... Kh2 51 Kf2 Be7 52
b4 aXb4 53 aXb4 Bh4+ 54 Kf3 Kgl 55
Ke2 Kg2, and White's position remains
critical.
50 ... Kh2 51 Kf2 Bg3+ 52 Kf3 Bh4!
Black allows his king to reach gl, and
forces the white king to retreat to its last line
of defence.
14

125 Selected Games
53 Nc2 Kgl 54 Ke2 Kg2 55 Nal Be7 56
Nc2 Kg3 57 Nel Bd8 58 Nc2 Bf6.
Zugwzang. After the retreat of the knight,
the threat of ... f4 becomes imminent,
while if 59 Kd3, then 59 ... Kf2 60 Nal
Kel 61 Nc2+ Kdl 62 Nal Be7 63 Nc2 Bd6
64 Nal Kcl 65 Kxc3 Bb4+ 66 Kd3 Kb2
67 Nc2 KXa2, and Black wins.
59 a3 Be7 60 b4.
60 a4 also fails to save the game after
60 ... Bd6 61 Nel e5 62 dxe5 BXe5 53
Kd3 (or 63 Nc2 d4l 64 eXd4 Bd6 65 Ne3f4
66 N/5+ Kg4 67 Nxd6 f3+) 63 ... d4
64 eXd4 Bd6 65 Nc2 f4 66 KXc3 f3 67 Ne3
f2 68 Kd3 Kf3 69 Nfl Bf4 70 d5 Kg2 71
Ke2 Kgl, and wins.
60 ... a4 61 Nel Bg5 62 Nc2 Bf6.
Again zugzwang. If the knight moves,
there follows 63 ... f4. If 63 b5, then 63 ...
Bd8 64 Nel Ba5 65 Nc2 Kg4! 66 Nel Bc7
67 Nc2 (67 Nd3 c2 68 Kdl Ba5+ 69 Kxc2
Kf3, or 67 Kd3 Bb6 68 Ke2f4 69eXf4Bxd4)
67...Bb6!68Nb4f469eXf4BXd4 70Kd3
(70 Nd3 Kf5 71 Kf3 Bb6) 70 ... Bb6 71
KXc3 Kxf4 72 Nc6 (72 Kd3 Ke5 73 Nc6+
Kd6) 12 ... Ke3 73 Kb4 d4 74 Ne5 d3 75
KXa4 (75 Nc4+ Kd4) 75 ... d2 76 Nc4+
Ke2 77 NXd2 Kxd2 78 Kb4 e5 79 a4 e4
80 a5 Bd8 81 b6 e3, and wins.
63 Kd3 Kf2 64 Nal Bd8 65 Nc2 Bg5 66 b5
Bd8 67 Nb4 Bb6 68 Nc2 Ba5 69 Nb4 Kel!
White resigns.
If 70 KXc3, then 70 ... Ke2, while
70 Nc2+ is met by 70 ... Kdl 71 Nal Kcl.
Gaining the title of World Champion was
the summit of my career, the achievement
of the highest goal to which a chess player
can aspire. Less than a year later I had to
meet Botvinnik for the third time—in the
return match.
It seems to me that I was not at my best
in this match. While giving my skilful
opponent his due, and he prepared thoroughly for
the return-match, I associate my failure in
the match to a considerable extent with the
unsatisfactory state of my health. During
the match I went down with 'flu, and I
finished the event with ... pneumonia.
And even so, I have no reason to complain
of my fate. I fulfilled my dream and became
the seventh World Champion in the history
of chess.
In place of an epilogue
I continue to be excited in chess by the
amazing world of ideas and beauty. For me
the aesthetic side of chess means, first and
foremost, the correctness of an idea, its
truthfulness, revealed in the clear logic of
thought. Beauty manifests itself not only in
combinational play with spectacular
sacrifices, but also in apparently simple positions,
when the richness of its content is suddenly
revealed.
Here are two examples.
15

My Chess Career
This position was reached in a game
Bielicki-Smyslov, played in the Capablanca
Memorial Tournament in Havana, 1964.
The bishop sacrifice, destroying the white
king's pawn screen, is fairly obvious: 21 ...
Bxg2! 22 Kxg2 Qg4+ 23 KM Qf3+ 24
Kgl Re4! Of course, Black is not satisfied
with perpetual check, but continues his attack.
25 Be5 h5 26 Rfel Rd8 27 Bg3 h4 28 Qc2.
Intending after 28 ... hXg3 29 hXg3 to
transfer the queen to e2, but Black has a more
beautiful alternative.
28 ... h3! 29 Kfl Rc4!! A spectacular
manoeuvre: 30 QXc4 fails to 30 ... Rd2.
30 Qb2 Rg4! White resigns.
The threat is 31 ... RXg3 32 hXg3 h2,
while on 31 Be5 there follows 31 ... Rgl + ,
and mate next move. The point of the
diverting manoeuvre 29 ... Rc4 now becomes
clear: with his queen at c2 White would have
been able to play 31 Redl.
Now let us examine the conclusion of the
game Donner-Smyslov, played in the same
tournament.
In a bishop ending Black is a passed pawn
to the good. The position appears simple,
but how often outward appearances are
deceptive! The game was adjourned, and
a considerable amount of work was required
to divine the hidden subtleties of the ending.
Gradually the winning idea acquired
completeness and beauty of form.
On resumption there followed 61 ... Kd4.
Not immediately 61 ... Kc3, because of
62 Bf6+. To attack the white pawns the
king has to be transferred to e3, and this
turns out to be no simple matter.
62 Bf2+ Kc3 63 Bb6 d2 64 Bf2 Kd3 65
Bb6 Bf4 66 Bf2 Be5 67 Bgl!
White manoeuvres his bishop so as to
answer 67 ... Bd4 with 68 Bh2 (he loses
after 68 BXd4 KXd4 69 gXhS gXhS 70
KXd2 h4 71 Ke2 p 72 Kd2 f4 73 Ke2 Kc3).
Now 68 ... Ke3 69 Bgl-I- KXf3 70 Bxd4
leads only to a draw; to win Black must
advance his pawn to h4.
67 ... h4! 68 Bf2 Bc3 (not immediately
68 ... Bd4, because of 69 Bxh4 Ke3 70
Bg5+ Kxf3 71 KXd2) 69 Bgl.
If 69 f4, then 69 ... Ke4 70 f5 g5 71 Ke2
Bd4 72 Bxd4 Kxd4 73 Kxd2f6,and wins.
69 ... Bd4 70 BXd4. On 70 Bh2 there
would have followed 70 ... Ke3 71 Bgl +
KXf3 72 BXd4 Kg3 73 Kxd2 Kxh3 74
Bf2 g5 75 Be3 Kg2 76 BXg5 h3, and Black
wins.
70 ... Kxd4 71 Kxd2 Ke5 72 Ke3 g5.
White resigned, since after 73 Ke2 Kf4 74
Kf2 f6 he ends up in zugzwcmg.
Chess playing demands the development
of analytical skill. The ability to analyze is
a very important quality for the improvement
of a player, helping him to realize his errors
and mistakes not only at the chess board,
but also, most probably, in life.
The career of a chess player is tournaments,
tournaments, tournaments In them I have
often managed to win or to be among the
prizewinners, but at times they have also brought
16

Selected Games
disappointment. I think that a person who
has no other interests, apart from chess, will
react badly to the failures which are
inevitable in the fate of any player. My love for
music and singing has not only brought me
much joy, but has also helped me to relate
more calmly to all the vicissitudes of fate.
Starting in 1948,1 seriously studied singing
under Professor Konstantin Zlobin, whom
I met by chance in Leningrad in 1947, when
I was playing in the 15th USSR
Championship. For many years I took lessons from
him, and even appeared in a singing
competition in the Bolshoi Theatre. But, as in the
life of my father, singing remained something
for my own satisfaction. My listeners were
to be my wife, Nadezhda Andreevna, and
my friends.
And while it is not easy for me to say who
is my favourite chess maestro, in singing my
undivided preference is for the great Italian
tenor Enrico Caruso.
However, I will not tire the reader any
more with reminiscences of the past, but
will invite him to examine my selected
games of chess.
17

125 Selected Games
No. 1 Queen Pawn Opening
GerasimoY-SmysloY
Championship of the Moskvoretsky
House of Pioneers, Moscow, 1935
ld4 d5
2 NI3 Nf6
3e3 e6
4Bd3 c5
5b3
In this variation the development of the
queen's bishop is associated with the idea of
occupying e5 with a knight and beginning an
attack on the K-side. Also possible is another
method of play, whereby White prepares the
opening of the centre by e3-e4 after 5 c3 and
6Nbd2.
5 ... Nc6
6 Bb2 Bd6
7 0-0 Qc7
7 ... 0-0 is normally played here, so as,
after making a useful developing move, to
choose a post for the queen in accordance
with White's reply. If then 8 Nbd2 Qe7 (with
the threat of ... e5) 9 Ne5 cxd4 10 eXd4
Ba3, with counter-play on the Q-side. Or 8
Ne5 Qc7 9 f4 cxd4 10 exd4 Nb4, eliminat-
ing White's dangerous bishop. In the present
game Black decided to prevent the white
knight from going to e5.
8a3 b6
9c4 Bb7
10 Nc3 a6
HRel
11 dxc5 bXc5 12 cXd5 exd5 was more
energetic, beginning a battle against the
opponent's hanging pawns in the centre.
11 ... cxd4
12 exd4 0-0
13 Na4 Bf4
it is essential to forestall c4-c5. Now on
14 c5 there follows 14 ... b5 15 Nb6 Rad8
16 b4 Ne4, and if 17 Bxe4 dXe4 18 RXe4,
then 18 ... Ne7 19 Rel Bxf3 20 Qxf3
Bxh2+ 21 Khl Bf4, with chances for both
sides.
14 Ne5 dxc4
Opening the a8-hl diagonal for the white-
squared bishop. The reply is forced, in view
of the threat of ... b5.
15bxc4 Nxe5
16 dxe5 Qc6!
Unexpectedly White is faced with the
danger of a mating attack. He should now
have gone into an ending by 17 Qf3 Qxf3
18 gXf3 Nd7 19 Be4 Rab8 20 Radl Nc5
21 NXc5 bXc5 etc. With the queens on the
board, Black's attack soon becomes
irresistible.
17Bfl
The correct move, as has already been
mentioned, is 17 Qf3. After 17 f3 Black
develops his offensive by 17 ... Ng4 18 Be4
(18 g3 Be3+ 19 Kg2 Nf2 20 Qe2 Nxd3)
18 ... BXh2+ 19 Khl Nf2 + 20 Kxh2
Nxdl 21 Bxc6 BXc6.
10

Games 1 & 2
17 ...
18Qb3
19 h3
Rfd8
Ng4
19 ...
Rd3!
The start of a spectacular combination.
The rook obviously cannot be captured by
the bishop, while on 20 Qxd3 there follows
20 ... Bh2+ 21 Khl Nxf2+, winning the
queen.
20Qxb6
RXh3!
This transference of the rook to the K-side
constitutes the idea of the combination.
21 QXc6 fails to 21 ... Bh2+ 22 Khl Nxf2
mate. White attempts to avoid the mating
threats by defending f2, but now comes the
well-known 'see-saw' manoeuvre, in which
the white queen is lost.
21Bd4
22 Khl
White resigns.
Bh2+
Bxe5+
23 Kgl loses to 23 ... Bh2+ 24 Khl
Bc7+ followed by 25 ... Bxb6.
This was my first tournament game to
appear in print (in the newspaper 64).
No. 2 French Defence
Smyslov-Lilienthal
Moscow Championship, 1938
le4
2d4
e6
d5
3Nc3
4e5
Nf6
Ng8
Normally in this variation Black retreats
his knight to d7, but the text move, which
retains the possibility of transferring the
knight to f5, is perfectly acceptable.
5Qg4
6Qf4
h5
c5
More in the spirit of the system chosen
by Black was the development of the bishop
at a6. After the exchange of white-squared
bishops he could then have begun play on
the white squares on both wings. For
example: 6 ... b6 7 Nf3 Ba6 8 BXa6 NXa6
9 0-0 Nh6 followed by ... Nf5.
7dxc5
8 NO
9Bd3
10 0-0
llcxd3
Bxc5
Nc6
Nb4
NXd3
Bd7
12Be3
In order to mount an attack, White must
first exchange the black-squared bishops.
12 Be3 is the start of a manoeuvre leading
to this goal.
12
Be7
12 ... Bxe3 was clearly unfavourable for
Black, in view of 13 fxe3, with strong
pressure down the open file.
20

125 Selected Games
13Qg3
14Bg5
15 Bxe7
16 Racl
g6
Nh6
QXe7
With the exchange of the black-squared
bishops, White has gained a definite
positional advantage. This rook move prevents
Q-side castling by Black, which would have
given him a perfectly satisfactory game, with
possibilities of a counter-attack on the
K-side.
16 ...
17Qf4
Nf5
Kf8
In this way Black carries out artificial
castling, but in the given position this is a
serious loss of time. True, after 17 ... 0-0
White could have prepared a pawn storm by
h2-h3 and g2-g4, thereby retaining the
initiative.
18Ne2
19Rc7
Kg7
Rhc8
Black sacrifices a pawn, so as to obtain
counter-play. Defending by 19 ... Rab8 was
no better, in view of 20 Qg5, with a big
positional advantage for White.
20Rxb7
21Rxb8
22 b3
23Ned4
24 Nxf5+
25Qg5
Rcb8
RXb8
Rc8
Qa3
exf5
White sets about exploiting his opponent's
K-side weaknesses. 25 ... Qxa2 would
now have been met by 26 Qf6+ Kg8 27
Ng5 Rf8 28 e6, with a decisive attack.
25 ...
26Qf6+
27Ng5
Be6
Kg8
Re8
28 Nxe6!
This simple solution is also the most
correct. White fails to win after 28 h4, for
example: 28 ... Qb2(preventing Rcl)29 Rel
Qc3 30 Re3 Qal+ 31 Kh2 Qd4, when 32
Rg3 loses to 32 ... Qxh4+ 33 Kgl Rc8.
28 ...
29 Qd8+
30 Qxd5
31 h3
RXe6
Kg7
QXa2
Qb2
.. Rb6 32 Qd4
The best move. After 31
Kg8 33 Ral Qxb3 34 Rxa7 the white rook
comes very strongly into play.
32 d4 Rb6
33 Qd7 a5
34Qa7
A serious blunder, as a result of which
Black could have equalized. 34 Qd8 was
correct, so as to answer 34 ... RXb3 with
35 Qf6+Kg8 36 e6, and 34 ... QXb3 with
35 d5 followed by d5-d6, when White wins.
If Black replies to 34 Qd8 with 34 ... Re6,
then 35 f4, preparing the advance of the
d-pawn.
Now Black cannot play 34 ... QXd4
because of 35 e6, but on the other hand
34 ... Rxb3 was possible, when 35 e6 can
be met by 35 ... Rb7. But Lilienthal failed
to exploit this equalizing possibility, and
White's mistake went unpunished.
34 ...
35 Qxa5
QXb3
f4

Games 2 & 3
The best chance. 35 ... Rb5 was
unfavourable for Black, in view of 36 Qd8 Qe6
37 Ral Rd5 38 Qb8 RXd4 39 Ra8, with
a decisive attack. If, for example, 39 ... Kh6,
then 40 h4 Rxd4 41 g3 Re4 42 f4, and White
wins.
36Qd2
37 d5
38Kxg2
f3
fXg2
Qc4
39 d6!
Rb7
On 39 ... Qe4+ there follows 40 f3
QXe5 41 d7 Rb2 42 d8=Q, and White wins.
40Rdl
41Qd5
42Qd4
43Kh2
44Qe4
45Rd4
Rd7
Qf4
Qg5+
Kh7
Kg7
The simplest, whereas the tempting 45 Rgl
could have led to unnecessary complications
after 45 ... Qd2 46 Rg2 Ra7 47 f4 Qdl 48 f5
Ral.
45
Ra7
Passive defence also fails to save the game,
since White has the following winning plan:
45 ... Kh7 46 Qf4 Qd8 47 h4 Kg7 48 Rd3
Kh7 49 Qf6 Qb6 50 Rc3, followed by the
transference of the rook to the eighth rank,
or the preparation of e5-e6.
If 46 ... Qd8, then 47 Qf6+!, and after
the exchange of queens d6-d7 is decisive.
47 Rxf4
48Rf5
49RT6+
50 h4
51Kh3
52 d7
53Rd6
54 f4
55 f5
56 f6+
g5
Kg6
Kg7
gXh4
Ra4
Ra8
Rd8
Kf8
Ke7
Resigns
No. 3 Ruy Lopez
Smyslov-Konstantinopolsky
Training Tournament, Moscow 1939
le4
2Nf3
3Bb5
4Ba4
5d3
e5
Nc6
a6
Nf6
An old continuation, which was frequently
employed by the first World Champion,
Steinitz. White leaves his king in the centre,
and under the cover of his pawn chain carries
out the typical Ruy Lopez manoeuvre of his
queen's knight via d2 and fl to g3.
At the start of my career I made a thorough
study of the games by the chess classics,
whose style had a considerable influence on
my choice of opening variations.
5 ...
6c3
7Nbd2
8Nfl
9Bc2
d6
Be7
0-0
b5
d5
This advance frees Black's game. The
threat is 10 ... dxe4, with the exchange of
queens.
46Qf4
QXf4+
10Qe2
Re8
22

125 Selected Games
11 Ng3 h6
12 0-0 Be6
It is difficult to imagine that this natural
move places Black in a dangerous position.
12 ... Bf8 was preferable.
13 d4!
Surprising and very strong. Now on 13 ...
exd4 there follows 14 e5 Nd7 15 cXd4,
with a comfortable game for White.
Interesting variations result after 13 ... Bg4 14 h3!
Bxf3 15 Qxf3 exd4 16 Nf5 Bf8 (16 ...
dxe4 17BXe4NXe7 18QXe4, and 18 ...
Qd7 fails to 19Qg4 with the double threat of
20 Qg7 mate and 20 Nxh6+) 17eXd5 Qxd5
(17 ... NXd5 18 Bb3, ox 17 ... Ne5 18
Qg3 Nh5 19 Nxh6+ Kh8 20 Qxe5 etc.)
18 Nxh6+ gxh6 19 Qxf6 Bg7 20 Qh4, and
20 ... d3 is not dangerous in view of 21 Rdl
Ne5 22 Qg3! The variations considered
confirm that it is not easy for Black to find a good
defence.
13... dxe4
14NXe5 Bd5
Black gives up a pawn, since on 14 ...
Nxe5 there would have followed 15 dxe5
Bc4 16 Qe3 BXfl 17 exf6 Bd3 18 fXe7
RXe7 19 Bb3, when White has two pieces
for a rook and pawn, and good attacking
chances.
15NXe4 Bd6
16 f4 Nxe4
17 Bxe4 Bf8
18 Bxd5
The bishop could have been retreated to c2,
but it is better to go into an ending with an
extra pawn. I never used to avoid transposing
into a favourable ending.
18 ... Qxd5
19 Qf3 Qxf3
20 Rxf3 Ne7
21 f5
Preventing Black from setting up a defence
on the white squares.
21 ... f6
22 Nd3 Nd5
23 Nf4 Nxf4
Black, of course, does not want to allow
the knight in at e6, and aims for a rook
ending in which it is not so easy to utilize the
extra pawn. 23 ... Rel + could have been
met by 24 Rfl.
24 BXf4 Bd6
25 Bxd6 cxd6
26Kf2 b4!
A good practical chance. This pawn
sacrifice enables Black to open lines and to
activate his rooks. Now 27 cxb4 can be met by
27 ... Re4 28 Rdl Rb8 29 a3 a5.
27Rcl

Games 3 & 4
White strives for active play. 21 ... bxc3
is followed by 28 RcXc3, so as to answer
28 ... Re4with29Rc7!
21 ... Rab8
(See diagram previous page)
28 c4!
White begins to carry out a plan involving
the creation of a passed pawn on the Q-side,
and to this end he is ready to return his extra
pawn.
28 ... Re4
29 Rd3 Rf4+
30 Ke2 Rxf5
30 ... Re8+ would have been well met
by 31 Re3.
31 c5 dxc5
32dxc5
This was the position that White was aiming
for when he gave up the pawn. His rooks have
become active, and his passed pawn threatens
to advance.
32 ...
33Re3
34Kxe3
35Kd4
Re5+
RXe3+
Kf7
Ke6
On 35 ... Rd8+ there would have followed
36 Kc4, and if 36 ... Rd2, then 37 c6! Ke7
38 Kc5 Kd8 39 Kb6 Kc8 40 Rel, and White
wins.
36 Rel+
37Kd5
Kd7
Rb5
38Re4!
White's advantage has become clear. His
king and pawn dominate in the centre of the
board, and now his rook switches to the fourth
rank to attack the K-side pawns. Black cannot
play his rook to a5 because of 39 RXb4 RXa2
40 Rb7+, and 38 ... Kc7 is also bad in view
of the simple 39 Re7+.
38 ...
39 h4
40Rf4
g6
f5
h5
White was threatening 41 h5, with the
decisive opening of the h-file for the intrusion
of his rook onto the seventh rank.
41Rd4
42 b3
Kc7
Rb8
If 42 ... Ra5, then 43 Rd2 Rb5 44 Kc4,
and the white rook penetrates to d6.
43Kc4
44Rd6
45Kd5
46RXg6
47 Rxa6
48Ra7+
49Rh7
50Rxb5
Re8
Re4+
Rxh4
Rg4
RXg2
Kb8
Rxa2
The mutual elimination of pawns has not
eased Black's position,
white king and passed
formidable force.
Ov • • •
51 Kc6!
52Kb5
53Rh7+
54Kb6
55 c6
56Rb7+!
since as before the
c-pawn constitute a
Rc2
Ka7
Re2
Kb8
Re8
f4
A typical winning manoeuvre.
56 ...
57Ra7
Kc8
Resigns.
57 ... Kb8 is decisively met by 58 c7+.
OA

125 Selected Games
No. 4 Sicilian Defence
Smyslov-Veresov
12th USSR Championship, Moscow 1940
le4
2Nf3
3Bb5+
can also play 3 .
4c3
c5
d6
Nc6
.. Bd7.
With the intention of setting up a pawn
centre. Another way to develop is by 4 d4
cxd4 5 Qxd4.
4...
5Qe2
6d4
7cXd4
8Ba4
9Nc3
10Bb3
HBe3
Nf6
g6
cXd4
a6
Qa5+
b5
Bg4
From the opening White has obtained a
good pawn centre. 11 ... b4 is not dangerous
in view of 12 Nd5 NXe4 13 Qc2.
11...
12 h3
13 QXf3
14 0-0
Bg7
BXf3
0-0
After the tempting 14 e5 dXe5 15 QXc6
Rac8 16 Qb7 Rc7 17 Qf3 RXc3! 18 bXc3
{18 Bd2 Rxf3 19 BXa5 Rf4, with an extra
pawn for Black) 18 ... QXc3+ 19 Ke2
Black is assured of a draw by 19 ... e4!
20Qg3 Qd3+ 21 Kel Qc3 + .
14 ... Rac8
15 Radl b4
(See diagram previous column)
16Nd5! Nxd5
17eXd5
A non-routine decision: the file is opened
for an attack on e7.
17 ... Na7
18 Bg5 Rfe8
On 18 ... Nb5 White could have continued
19 BXe7, and if 19 ... NXd4, then 20 Qd3
Rfe8 21 BXd6, with the advantage.
19 Rfel Nb5
20Re4!
Now the threat is 21 Qe3, and in some cases
Rdel.
20 ... f 5
21 Rb4 Qc7
It was Black's hope that the rook at h4 would
be out of play.
22Qe3
Threatening 23 Qe6+ Kh8 24 QXg6.
22 ... Qd7
23Qel!
Now the b4 pawn is put under fire; if Black
plays 23 ... a5, then after 24 Ba4 his knight
ends up in a mortal pin.
23 ... h6
OS

Games 4 & 5
An ingenious defence: on 24 BXh6 there
can follow 24 ... Bf6 25 Rf4 Kh7. But White
sacrifices the exchange for a pawn, hoping
subsequently to exploit the exposed position
of the black king.
24Rxh6!
25Bxh6
Bxh6
Nc7
As before, the pin on the knight after 25
a5 26 Ba4 would be highly unpleasant.
26QXb4
27Qc3
28Bd2
29Qg3
Qb5
Kh7
NXd5
The queen is switched over to the K-side
for the attack. The threat is 30 Qh4+ Kg8
31 Qh6.
29 ...
30Qg4
31 Qxf4
U
Nf6
Qh5
Black takes urgent measures to defend
against the mate, but this fails to weaken
White's attack.
32Rel
Now against the numerous threats of 33
Bdl, 33 Ba4 and 33 Bf7 Black has no
satisfactory defence.
32 .. ,\
33Ba4
34Qg3
35Bg5
36 Bdl
37dXe5
38RXe4
39 BXe7
40Kh2
41Qf3
Kg7
e5
Re7
Rc4
Qh7
Ne4
RXe4
Rel +
RXdl
Resign
No. 5 French Defence
Smyslov-Boleslavsky
Match-Tournament for the Title of Absolute
USSR Champion
Moscow-Leningrad, 1941
le4
2d4
3Nc3
4e5
5a3
6bXc3
7a4
e6
d5
Bb4
c5
BXc3+
Ne7
The starting point of numerous
investigations. The doubling of the pawns on the c-file
hinders the communications between White's
two flanks. On the other hand, his pawn
centre is strengthened, and he may be able
to exploit the weakness of the black squares
in his opponent's position. With this aim in
view, he vacates a3 for his black-squared
bishop.
7 ...
8Qd2
Qa5
The alternative plan here is 8 Bd2 c4 9 Qg4,
with active play on the K-side.
8 ...
9Nf3
Nbc6
c4
On 41 ... Qh5 there follows 42 Qf8+ After this move White need no longer fear
Kh7 43 Qf7+ (or 43 BfS) 43 ... Kh6 44 any complications in the centre. True, the
Bf8+ Kg5 45 Qf6 mate. exchange 9 ... cXd4 10 cXd4 QXd2+
26

125 Selected Games
11 BXd2, when 11 ... Na5 is not possible,
also gives White the better chances. 9 ... Bd7
was preferable.
10 g3
HBg2
12 eXf6
13 0-0
0-0
f6
RXf6
The outcome of the opening is favourable
for White. He controls more space, and has
the possibility of an attack on Black's
backward e-pawn.
13...
14Ba3
15Nh4
Bd7
Re8
Nc8
15 ... Nf5 was preferable, with the aim of
exchanging the knight.
16 f4
17Rfbl
N6e7
Before commencing a systematic siege of
the e6 pawn, White takes measures to
strengthen his position on the Q-side.
17 ...
18 a5
19Nf3
Qc7
Bc6
Ng6
u
up,*
20Ne5!
The knight takes up an excellent position in
the centre. Black cannot exchange it, since
then White opens the f-file for his attack. For
example: 20 ... NXe5 21 fxe5 Rf7 22
Rfl RXfl+ 23 RXfl QXa5 24 Bb4 Qc7
25 Qf4, with the threat of 26 Qf8+! If now
25 ... h6, then 26 Bf3 (threatening BhS),
with a decisive strengthening of the attack.
20...
21Bc5
22Ng4
Nce7
a6
White has managed to stabilize the Q-side,
where his black-squared bishop has acquired a
secure post at c5. He has an obvious
superiority in space, and now plans an attack on the
K-side. First pressure is put on the
backward e-pawn.
22...
23Rel
24Re2
25Rael
Rf7
Nf5
h6
Qc8
25 ... Bd7 fails to 26 Bxd5, while after
25 ...QXa526RXe6RXe627RXe6White
has a strong initiative.
26Bf3
This move vacates g2 for the rook and
threatens the transfer of the bishop to h5,
while also preparing h4-h5, with further gain
of space.
26 ...
27 Rfl
Kh7
Qc7
28Qel
White has concentrated all his forces on
the K-side. 28 ... QXa5 is still unfavourable
for Black, in view of 29 RXe6 Rxe6 30
27

Games 5 & 6
QXe6, with an invasion by the white pieces.
28 ... Qd7 can be met by 29 Nf2 Nf8 30
Bh5 g6 31 Bf3, threatening Ng4-e5, and
if 31 ... h5, then 32 Nh3, exploiting the
weakening of Black's pawn chain.
28 ...
29Ne5
30 g4
31Qg3
Nf8
Rf6
Nd6
Nf7
Hanging over Black's position is the threat
of a pawn storm. If 31 ... Ne4, then 32
BXe4 dXe4 33 NXc4, when White does not
have to fear 33 ... Bb5, in view of 34 Nd6.
After other replies too, White always has the
possibility of a pawn breakthrough.
32 g5
NXe5
In view of the the threat of 33 g6+, this
sacrifice is forced.
33 gXf6
34RXf3
35 f5!
ivance leads to
35..
36RXg3
37Reg2
NXf3+
gXf6
a quick win.
QXg3 +
e5
Nd7
Black defends against one mate, but now
his king again ends up in a mating net.
40Ba3
41 Bel!
eXd4
Resigns.
No. 6 Ruy Lopez
Smyslov-Botvinnik
Moscow Championship, 1943
le4 e5
2Nf3 Nc6
3Bb5 a6
4 Ba4 Nf6
5 0-0 NXe4
This leads to the Open Variation of the Ruy
Lopez, which has enjoyed great popularity in
the past.
In spite of the evolution of opening ideas,
this defence has withstood the test of time.
In choosing an old plan of development in
the present game, Botvinnik was intending to
employ a new continuation, which had not
been played in Soviet tournaments.
6d4 b5
7Bb3 d5
8dXe5 Be6
9c3
The alternative is 9 Qe2, so as to begin
active play in the centre by 10 Rdl.
9 ... Bc5
Playing the bishop to this square is normally
associated with the plan of a K-side attack.
A less committing move here is 9 ... Be7,
leaving c5 free for the knight.
10Nbd2 0-0
HBc2
38Rg7+
39 R7g6
28

125 Selected Games
11... Nxf2!?
A bold and interesting idea! Black aims for
a direct attack on the opposing king. From
the viewpoint of the general rules of opening
strategy, an attempt to seize the initiative at
such an early stage of the game may be
criticized. But in a practical struggle, when the time
for thought is strictly limited, White may not
find it easy to solve correctly the opening
problems facing him.
12 Rxf2 f6!
This opening of the f-file and the rapid
mobilization of all the pieces is the idea behind
the preceding knight sacrifice.
13eXf6 QXf6
14Qfl!
Switching the queen to the K-side
strengthens White's position. For the moment the
knight at d2 is in the right place,
over-protecting the knight at f3.
14 ... Bg4
15 KM
Preferable was 15 Qd3!, with a double
attack on h7 and d5. Black would evidently
have had to agree to an ending favouring
White after 15 ... Qf5 16 Qxf5 Bxf5 17
Bb3 Rad8 18 Nfl Bxf2+ 19 KXf2.
15 ... BXf2
16 QXf2 Rae8
17 Qg3 Ne5
18Bdl
Over-protecting the f3 square. White now
has to withstand a powerful onslaught by the
excellently placed black pieces, before he is
able to untangle his group of pieces on the
back rank.
18 ... Nd3
18 ... h5 is more active, and after 19 h4
the black bishop remains for a long time on
the important g4 square. A possible
continuation would be 19 ... Nd3 20 Kh2 c5 21 Nfl,
with a tense struggle in prospect.
19 h3
Creating an escape square for the white
king, and avoiding threats on the back rank.
19 ... Bh5
20Bc2 Nf4
21 Ngl!
White prevents the intrusion of the enemy
rook at e2, and at the same time carries out a
regrouping of his minor pieces.
21 ... c5
22 Ndf3 Ne2
23 NXe2 RXe2
24Bdl
The bishop again returns to its former
position to defend the f3 square. On the
natural 24 Bd3 Black could have created
complications by 24 ... Bxf3 25 gXf3 Rel + !
26 QXel QXf3+ 27 Kh2 QXd3. After
the move in the game 24 ... Bxf3 is met by
25 gxf3 Re6 26 Bd2 followed by f3-f4 and
Bf3, clearing the way for the rook to switch
to the K-side.
24 ... Re6
25Bd2 h6
26Kh2 Re4
Black should have retreated his bishop to
g6, so as to forestall White's tactical threat.
White now gains a decisive advantage.
29

Games 6 & 7
27Ng5!
28 Bxh5
29Bf3
30 a4
hXg5
ReS
Qe7
The opening of the a-file allows the rook
to come into play. 30 ... b4 fails to 31 cXb4
cXb4 32BXb4!
jU • « •
31 aXbS
32Ra7
33Bg4
Kh7
aXbS
Qd6
Now 34 B x g5 is threatened. The immediate
33 BXg5 fails to 33 ... Rxf3! 34 gXfi
Re2+.
33 ...
34 KM
Rd8
In time trouble White overlooks the
combinational manoeuvre which he carries
out later.
J*l • • •
35cXd4
d4
cXd4
36
36Bf4!
Rel +
gXf4 loses to 37Bf5 + .
37 QXel
38Rd7
39 Bxd7
40Bg4
QXf4
RXd7
d3
40 Bxb5 would also have won. White's
material advantage ensures him an easy win.
40 ...
41Qe2
42Qd3+
43Kgl
44 b3
45Bf3
46Kf2
47Qe3
48Bdl
49 g4
50Ke2
d2
b4
g6
Kh6
Kg7
Qf7
Qe6
Qd6
Qd5
Kh7
Resii
No. 7 Sicilian Defence
Smyslov-
-Kotov
(oscow Championship, 1943
le4
2Nc3
3g3
4Bg2
5d3
6Nf3
cS
Nc6
g6
Bg7
d6
In the Closed Variation of the Sicilian
Defence, on which Chigorin did a great deal
of work, the knight is usually developed at e2.
In the present game White deviates
somewhat from the familiar theoretical paths.
6 ...
7Bg5
8Qd2
e6
Nge7
With the intention of exchanging the black-
squared bishops by Bh6. Black averts this
threat, but he later has difficulties over
castling, a factor which influences the plans of
both players.
8...
9Be3
h6
e5
Black strives to develop his queen's bishop
as quickly as possible, but in doing so
facilitates the subsequent opening of the f-file
(after f2-f4).
30

125 Selected Games
10 0-0
UNel
12 a3
Be6
Qd7
This useful move, like the subsequent
transfer of the rook to bl, is made in case
Black should castle Q-side.
12 ...
13 f4
14Rbl
15 Bxf4
16QXg2
Bh3
Nd4
exf4
BXg2
0-0
At last Black has castled, but by the
advance of his g-pawn White begins an
immediate attack on the opposing king.
17 g4
18 KM
19Bd2
20Nf3
Rad8
Ne6
d5
d4
Black closes the centre, but this falls in
with White's plans, since it is well known
that a flank attack can be more easily
mounted with an immobile pawn centre.
20 ... dXe4 21 NXe4 Nd5 was preferable.
21Ne2
22Qh3
23Ng3
Nc6
Kh7
f6
One gains the impression that Black only
has to play ... Ne5, and his defensive set-up
will be complete. But at this point comes
a combinational blow.
24 Nf5!
A typical piece sacrifice in such positions.
The special feature of it in the given instance
is that White will not try to regain the
sacrificed material immediately, but will build
up an attack by systematic pressure. Here
one has to rely on an evaluation of the
position based on general principles, rather than
calculate concrete variations.
24 ... gXfS
25 gXfS Nc7
If 25 ... Ng5, then 26 BXg5 fXg5 27
NXg5+ followed by Ne6, winning the
exchange and ending up with a rook and
two pawns against two minor pieces. White
would also retain an attack.
26 Rgl Ne8
Black prepares to evacuate his king to the
Q-side, and avoids the combination 27
RXg7+ KXg7 28 Rgl+ Kf7 29 Qh5 +
Ke7 30 Rg7+. If he defends by 26 ... Rh8,
White has the decisive 27 B x h6 B X h6 (27 ...
Kg8 28 RXg7+ QXg7 29 Rgl) 28 Rg6
Qg7 29 RXg7+ KXg7 30 Qg3+ followed
by 31 QXc7.
27Rg6
28Rbgl
29RXM
ng the mate at h8.
30Rh7
31Qh5!
Rf7
Kg8
Kf8
Ke7
Kd6
31

Games 7 & 8
Black continues his king march, in search
of a safe shelter. The attempt to vacate d8
for the king by 31 ... Rc8 proves insufficient
after 32 Ng5! fXg5 33 Bxg5+, with the
possible variations:
a) 33 ... Nf6 34 Rxg7 RXg7 35 Bxf6+
Kxf6 36 Qh6+ Ke5 37 Rxg7 Qe8 38 Rg6.
b) 33 ... Kd6 34 Bf4+ Ke7 {34 ... Ne5
35/51) 35 f6+ ! Nxf6 36 RgXg7 Nxh5 37
RXf7+ Ke6 38 Rxd7 Nxf4 39 RXb7,
with a won ending.
32 Bf4+ Ne5
Black appears to have parried the
immediate threats to his king, by blocking the
dangerous diagonal. But White finds a
manoeuvre, after which his attack flares up with
new strength. On 32 ... Ke7 there would
have followed 33 Ng5! fxg5 34 BXg5+.
33 Bxe5+ fXe5
34 f6!
The decisive blow, based on the pinning
and interference of the black pieces, after
which White's attack reaches its climax.
Whatever Black captures the enemy pawn
with, he loses material.
34 ... NXf6
35 Qxe5+ Kc6
36RXg7! Kb5
37Nxd4+ Kb6
Or 37 ... Qxd4 38 Qxd4 cXd4 39
Rxf7.
38 b4 Rc8
Not 38 ... cxd4, in view of the obvious
mate in two moves.
39RXH Qxf7
40 Qd6+ Rc6
41 NXc6 Nxe4
42 bXc5+ Resigns.
No. 8 Old Indian Defence
Smyslov-Panov
Moscow Championship, 1943
1 d4 Nf6
2c4 d6
3Nc3 Nbd7
The immediate 3 ... e5 is perfectly possible
here, since after 4dXe5dXe5 5Qxd8 +
Kxd8 practice has shown that Black's
position in the ending is quite satisfactory.
4Nf3 e5
5g3 c6
Panov employs an opening system which
he had studied well. Black avoids the flank
development of his king's bishop,
characteristic of the King's Indian Defence. This
system promises him a sound but rather
cramped position.
6Bg2 Be7
70-0 0-0
8e4 Re8
9h3 Qc7
10(15
By this move White determines the
direction and character of the subsequent battle.
He closes the centre, consolidating his
superiority in space. Now Black has to be especially
careful in his choice of plan, in order to
obtain counter-chances on one of the flanks
in return for the opponent's strong pawn
centre. This will usually involve preparing
a pawn break by ... f5 or ... b5.
32

125 Selected Games
10 ... Nf8
UNel Ng6
12 Nc2!
It would seem that the idea of transferring
the knight to e3, where it occupies a splendid
position, was first employed in the present
game. This idea sets Black serious problems.
Usually White used to develop his knight at
d3, aiming for an attack with f2-f4, and it
was against this plan that Black's piece set-up
was directed.
12 ... a6
13Ne3 Bf8
14Bd2 c5
15 a3!
With the better position in the centre,
White prepares an attack on the Q-side,
exploiting the fact that Black has been rather
slow in his search for counter-play. Within
a few moves Black finds himself in an
extremely cramped position, where he cannot hope
either for... f5, or for... b5, but is doomed
to total passivity.
15 ... RbS
16 M b6
16 .. .b5 is hardly any better, in view of
17 cxb5axb5 18 a4 bxa4 19 b5 Bd7
20 Qxa4 or 18 ... Bd7 19 NXb5 BXb5
20 axb5 Rxb5 21 Qa4. In both variations
White has active play on the Q-side. Black's
defence is made more difficult by the weakness
of his d-pawn and the insufficient mobility
of his king's bishop.
17 Rel Bd7
18 Bf 1 Qc8
19 Kh2 Ne7
Black has no useful moves, and he awaits
developments.
20 Qf 3 Rd8
21 g4! Ne8
22Nf5
White has created a strong outpost at f5,
under the cover of which he can begin to
strengthen his position on the K-side. In the
event of 22 ... N X f5 23 e Xf5 he acquires
a strong point at e4. Now White temporarily
transfers operations to the opposite wing, so
as to safeguard himself here against any
possible initiative by the opponent, and only
then to begin an unimpeded pawn storm of
the black king position. This method of
mounting an attack is one of the typical
strategical devices in positions of this type.
22... Qc7
23 Racl Rdc8
24 b5 Ra8
25 a4 a5
Relying on the solidity of his defences,
Black takes the committing decision to block
the Q-side, a decision with which, however,
it is impossible to agree. The only prospect
of any counter-play was associated with the
possible exchange ... aXb5. After the move
played, there is nothing to hinder White as
he begins to besiege the opposing king
position.
26 Bd3 Qd8
27 Rhl Rc7
28 Rcgl Ng6
29 g5 Raa7
30 h4 Nh8

Games 8, 9 & 10
w ah
IMMI
HP ■& Wt&$c'i
tltit
'^^ £18$
This retreat of the knight to h8 speaks
eloquently for itself. From this point and
right to the end of the game the knight
remains in the corner of the board. Thus
now all Black's pieces have been thrown back
onto the last two ranks.
White's subsequent plan of attack will
consist of three successive stages.
The first stage is to transfer the king to the
Q-side, where it will be completely safe.
The second stage is to make the f2-f4 break,
opening the f-file and the al-h8 diagonal.
The third stage of the plan is to switch the
knight from c3 to the K-side to land the
decisive blow.
39Qg3
40 f 4
41 Bxf4
Rab7
exf4
Ra7
42Ndl
Now comes the concluding stage of White's
strategic plan. He threatens to regroup his
minor pieces by Ne3-g4 and Bd2-c3 followed
byNh6+.
Black decides, at last, to accept the piece
sacrifice.
42...
43 exf5
44Ne3
45 f6
gXf5
Ng7
h6
Resiei
31Kg2
32 Eft!
g6
Bc8
The acceptance of the piece sacrifice by
32 ... gxf5 33 exf5 allows the knight to
occupy the strong point at e4, which is
quickly decisive.
33 h5
34Rh2
35Kel
36Kdl
37Kc2
38Kb3
Rab7
Ra7
Rab7
Ra7
Rab7
Ra7
The first and the longest stage of the plan
has been carried out: the white king has
moved across to b3. Now the second stage
of the plan is put into effect—the playing of
f2-f4.
No. 9 Latvian Gambit
Smyslov-Kamishov
Moscow Championship, 1944
le4 e5
2 Nf3 f5
3 Nxe5 Qf6
4Nc4!
The Latvian Gambit is rarely played, and
in the present game I was encountering this
opening for the first time. At the board
I managed to find a good line of play for
White, and later the game found its way into
all the opening books.
4... fxe4
5 Nc3 Qg6
6d3 Bb4
34

125 Selected Games
Bad is 6 ... exd3 7 Bxd3 QXg2 8
Qh5+ Kd8 (or * ... g6 9 Qe5+) 9 Be4,
when White wins.
7Bd2
8BXc3
Bxc3
White has a lead in development, and has
obtained an excellent position.
8
(15
8 ... Nf6 is insufficient in view of 9 BXf6
gXf6 10 Ne3.
Qf5
QXe4+
Nf6
QXg2 is well met by 12 Bh5+ Kf8
c6
Kf8
Qh4
11..
13Bf3.
9Ne5
10 dxe4
HBe2
. Qxg2is
12 0-0
13Bh5+
14Rel
15 Bg6!
Na6
The bishop is immune in view of the fork.
On 15 ... Nbd7 there could have followed
16 Nf3 Qg4 17 Bd3 followed by 18 h3 and
19 Qe2, with a strong attack.
16Qe2
Bh3
Black was threatened with a mating finish
after 17 Nd7+.
No. 10 Scotch Game
Bondarersky-Smyslov
Moscow Championship, 1944
le4
2Nf3
3Nc3
4d4
5Nxd4
6Nxc6
7Qd4
e5
Nc6
Nf6
exd4
Bb4
bXc6
The usual continuation here is 7 Bd3. The
queen move is linked with
a plan of castling
Q-side, and leads to lively and interesting play.
7 ...
8f3
9Qd3
Qe7
Bc5
Rb8
Aiming to hinder the normal development
of the white pieces, or to provoke the
weakening move b2-b3.
10Na4
11 c3
12Be3
13 0-0-0
14Qc2
Bb4+
Bd6
0-0
Re8
Nd5!
By this fine manoeuvre Black activates his
game. If 15 Bf2, then 15 ... Bf4+ 16 Kbl
Ne3, while on 15 Bd2 he can reply 15 ...
Nb6 16 Nxb6 RXb6. Now 17 Bd3 fails to
17 ... Ba3, while 17 Bc4 is well met by
17 ... Ba6, and 17 Be3 by 17 ... Bc5.
17 Nf3!
Resigns.
15BXa7

Games 10 & 11
A risky capture, since now the a-file is
opened, and the knight at a4 finds itself in
danger.
15 ...
16exd5
17dxc6
18Bc4?
Ra8
RXa7
dXc6
This loses quickly. 18 Bd3 was better,
when there could have followed 18 ... Be6
19 b3 (or 19 c4) 19 ... Rb8, with a strong
attack.
18 ...
19Kbl
20Bd3
21Rxd3
22Rd4
Qg5+
Bf5
Bxd3
Qb5!
Rea8
White resigned, since his knight is lost.
An elegant finish!
No. 11 Caro-Kann Defence
Smyslov-Makogonov
13th USSR Championship, Moscow 1944
le4
2d4
3f3
c6
d5
This move is not very popular, although it
has its virtues. White strengthens his pawn
centre, which forces his opponent to be very
accurate in his choice of replies. At the same
time this system gives a sharper and more
unusual game than in the usual variations
of the Caro-Kann Defence, where the central
tension is liquidated at an early stage.
3 ... e6
This is considered the soundest
continuation. The alternative is 3 ... dXe4 4 fxe4
e5 5 Nf3 Be6!, but not 5 ... exd4 6 Bc4!,
when White obtains an attack.
Black attacks the b2 pawn, and
simultaneously prepares the classic advance in the
given pawn formation—... c5. After 4 ...
dxe4 5 Nd2 eXf3 6 Ngxf3 White gains
a strong attack for the pawn.
5Nd2
Nd7
Black declines the offer of the b2 pawn, so
as to capture it within a few moves at a more
favourable moment. The immediate 5 ... c5
can be met by 6 exd5 exd5 7 dxc5 Bxc5
8 Bxc5 QXc5 9 Nb3, giving Black an
isolated pawn in the centre.
6Bd3
7c3
c5
c4
A crucial decision. Black closes the position
on the Q-side, intending after the capture of
the pawn to castle long.
8Bc2
9Ne2
10 0-0
HeXd5
QXb2
Qa3
Nb6
Since Black has succeeded in stabilizing
the play on the wing, White opens a central
file.
11...
12Rel
13Nfl
exd5
Bd7
0-0-0
4Be3
Qb6
14 Bel
A Well-timed manoeuvre, forcing the black
queen to abandon its comfortable post at a3,
36

125 Selected Games
thus clearing the way for the advance of restricts White's activity after 25 Qg3. If now
White's a-pawn. Now Black is unable to set
up a blockade on the Q-side by controlling
the critical a4 square.
14...
15 a4
16Ne3
17Bd2
Qa5
Bd6
Ne7
Rde8
Black vacates a square for the possible
retreat of his queen, leaving his other rook
on the K-side.
18Ng3
With the threat of 19 Nh5, provoking
a weakening of Black's pawn formation.
18
hS
Restricting the mobility of the white knight.
Now Black's decision to keep his rook at
h8 is justified, since by 19 ... g6 he threatens
to deny White any chance of an initiative.
Incidentally, the immediate 18 ... g6 could
have been met by 19 Ng4. In this case the
exchange of the knight would have been
unfavourable for Black, since White would
have acquired new possibilities in connection
with pressure on the open f-file.
19Nef5
20Nxf5
21 Bxf5+
22 f4
NXf5
BXf5
Kb8
Allowing the queen to undertake activity
on the K-side.
22...
23Bc2
g6
f5
Black plays consistently, striving to restrict
the mobility of the enemy bishops and to
prevent f4-f5.
24Qf3
Re4!
A fine positional idea, which logically
completes Black's previous strategy, and
25 BXe4, then 25 ... dXe4 26 Qg3 Rg8
followed by ... Nd5, when Black's position
is impregnable. On 24 ... h4 White would
probably have continued 25 Qh3.
25Qg3!
The start of an interesting manoeuvre by
the white queen, which gradually penetrates
into the opposing position, forcing the black
pieces into passive positions.
25 ...
26Qg5
27Qh6
28Qh7
29Qh8+
30BXe4
Rg8
Be7
Bf6
Rg7
Nc8
White finally accepts the exchange
sacrifice, exploiting the fact that the knight has
been diverted away from the important d5
square.
30 ...
31Qf8
dxe4
Qd8
Materially White has a slight advantage,
but after the exchange of queens Black would
obtain a strong position in the ending by
transferring his knight to d5. White therefore
retains the queens, and by various threats
hinders the systematic regrouping of the
black pieces.
32Qb4
33 a5
Rc7
a6
n

Games 11 & 12
34 Rabl Be7
35 Qa4 Qd7
36 Qa2 Qd5
37 Rb2 Na7
A complex, tense position has arisen,
where Black is trying to activate his pieces,
but White has sufficient resources to
neutralize the opponent's threats.
38Rb6 Nc6
Black would seem to have over-rated his
chances. It is true that he now wins the aS
pawn, but the text move allows White to bring
his heavy pieces into action, and to destroy
the base of the e4-f5-g6-h5 pawn chain—the
g6 pawn. Therefore 38 ... Rc6 was
preferable, offering the exchange of rooks, after
which Black would have had no worries over
the soundness of his position.
39 Rebl Kc8
40Qb2 NXa5
Forced, in view of the triple attack on b7.
But now White wins an important pawn on
the K-side.
41 RXg6 Nb3
42 Be3 a5
This is what Black was counting on. The
white rook has been diverted to the opposite
wing, and the a-pawn can advance.
43 Qe2 a4
44Rb2
This move, with the subsequent Ra2, halts
the dangerous advance of the opposing
passed pawn, after which the white queen is
free to take aggressive action.
44 ... Qa5
45Rg8+ Bd8
46Ra2! b5
47Qxb5 QXc3
48 QXf5+ Rd7
49Kf2
It now becomes clear that Black's Q-side
operations, although they have enabled him to
create three dangerous passed pawns, have
been unable to ensure the safety of his king.
A second invasion by the white queen into the
opposing position decides the outcome of
this tense struggle. The exposed position of
the black king allows White to build up an
irresistible attack.
49 ... Qa5
50 Qe6! Qc7
51 f5 Kb7
52 Rg6 Kc8
53QXe4
This capture threatens 54 Rc6, with a
further strengthening of the attack.
53 ... Qb7
54Rc6+ Kb8
55 d5
At last, White's black-squared bishop
comes very strongly into play.
38

125 Selected Games
55...
56Qe5+
57Qe6
58 Rb2!
Na5
Ka8
Kb8
An important link in the concluding
manoeuvre planned by White. If 58 ... a3,
then 59 RXb5! QXb5 60 QXd7 NXc6
61 dxc6, and White wins.
58 ...
59 Bf4+
60Ra6+
Nb3
Ka7
Black resigned, since after 60 ... QXa6
61 Qxd7+ he loses a piece. Now the idea of
58 Rb2 becomes clear, as a result of which
Black's knight was diverted from the defence.
No. 12 Ruy Lopez
Smyslov-Reshevsky
Radio Match USSR-USA, 1945
le4
2Nf3
3Bb5
4Ba4
50-0
e5
Nc6
a6
Nf6
NXe4
In adopting this defence, Reshevsky was
obviously hoping that the old plan of attack,
which he had prepared for this encounter,
would be insufficiently familiar to his
opponent.
6d4
7Bb3
8dxe5
9c3
10NM2
UBc2
b5
d5
Be6
Bc5
0-0
f5
11 ... NXd2 12 Qxd2! gives White good
chances of an attack on the opposing king.
By the move played Black reinforces his
knight in its active post, which seems to me
to be the best plan in the given position.
12Nb3
13 Nfd4
14 Nxd4
Bb6
NXd4
Bxd4
Black heads for complications, having in
mind a forcing variation which is reckoned
by theory to give him the initiative. To be
considered was 14 ... Qe7, delaying
revealing his intentions. "*
15cXd4
16 f3
The logical culmination of Black's opening
idea. After 16 ... Ng5 17 h4 Nf7 18 Bxf4
QXh4 19 Qd2 White is obviously better. The
16 ... Ng3 variation has been known for a
long time. Duras-Maroczy (Ostende 1906)
continued 17 hxg3 fxg3 18 Rel Qh4 19 Be3
Bg4, with a strong attack.
17hxg3
18Qd3
fXg3
The start of an interesting manoeuvre,
which leads to an unusual balance of forces.
If now 18 ... Qh4, then 19 Qxh7+ Qxh7
20 BXh7+ Kxh7 21 Bd2, with a favourable
ending for White, while after 18 ... g6 19 Qe3
Qh4 20 Qh6 White defends against the mate.
Black's reply is therefore essentially forced.
18 ...
19 Qxf5!
20Bxf5
21Bh3
22Khl
23Bd2
Bf5
RXf5
Qh4
QXd4+
QXe5
39

Games 12 & 13
An interesting position has arisen, where
Black has a queen against White's rook and
bishops, and an avalanche of black pawns
will soon be formed on the Q-side. Whose
chances are better in the coming sharp struggle
is a question which still awaits a definite
answer. Boleslavsky-Botvinnik (Sverdlovsk,
1943) continued here 23 ... c5 24 Rael
QXb2 25 Bf4 d4 26 BXg3 d3, with a
complicated game. It would seem that White's
chances of an attack are more real than
Black's threat of advancing his passed pawns.
Reshevsky, however, chooses a different
continuation.
23 ...
24Bf4
QXb2
c5
24 ... d4! was later suggested here, with
the aim of restricting the mobility of the
white pieces by the rapid advance of the
d-pawn. After the move played, White could,
if he wished, have transposed into familiar
lines by 25 Rael, but he has at his disposal
a more energetic plan.
25Be6+
26Bxd5
Kh8
Eliminating the dangerous passed pawn,
and not fearing 26 ... Qd4, which can be met
by 27 Be4 followed by 28 BXg3.
26 ...
27Radl
28BXg3
Rd8
c4
c3
30 Rxdl, so, without losing time, Black
advances his passed pawns. If he takes his
queen to the defence of his K-side by 28 ...
Qf6, after 29 Be4 c3 30 Rxd8+ QXd8 31
Bc2 his pawns are blockaded.
29Be5!
White's bishops have taken up a
dominating position in the centre. Now 29 ... Qe2
30 BXc3 Rxd5 is not dangerous, in view of
31 Rdel! Rh5+ 32 Kgl, when, thanks to the
mating threats on the back rank, White gains
a decisive advantage.
29...
30Bb3
b4
Rd2!
Preventing the white rook from penetrating
to the seventh rank. After 30 ... Rxdl 31
RXdl h5 32 Rd7 Qbl + 33 Kh2 c2 34 RXg7
Qel 35 Rg8+ Kh7 36 Rh8+ Kg6 37 BXc2+
Kf7 38 Bg3 further resistance becomes
pointless.
31 f4!
The advance of the f-pawn has the aim of
exposing the black king, and also involves the
direct threat of 32 Rxd2 Qxd2 33 Rdl,
when the pawn at f4 prevents the black queen
from giving an intermediate check at h6.
31 ...
32Rbl
h5!
Rf2!
In order to halt the advance of the f-pawn.
On 33 Rxb2 Black replies 33 ... RXfl +
and then 34 ... cXb2, with drawing chances.
28
QXa2 fails to 29 BXc4! RXdl
AC\

125 Selected Games
33 Rfel!
Qd2
If 33 ... Re2, then 34 Redl Rd2 35 Rxb2,
since now the rook at dl is defended. After
33 ... Qa3 White wins by 34 Bd4 Rxf4
35 Re8 + Kh7 36 Bc2 + Kh6 37 Be3 g5 38 Re7.
34RM1
Qb2
34 ... Re2 does not help, in view of 36
Rgl Qe3 36 Rd8+ Kh7 37 Bg8+ Kg6
38 Rd6+ Kf5 39 Bh7+, with an irresistible
attack.
35Rd8+
The rook has at last broken into Black's
rear, and now the white pieces fall upon the
enemy king, resulting in an energetic finish.
35 ...
36Bg8+
37 Rd6+
38Be6+
39Bd5+
40Be4+
41Bg6
Kh7
Kg6
Kf5
Kg6
Kh7
Kg8
Resigns
No. 13 Ruy Lopez
SmysJov-Euwe
Groningen,
le4
2Nf3
3Bb5
4Ba4
5d3
1946
e5
Nc6
a6
Nf6
An old move. It does not promise any
advantage, but on the other hand it rules
out the Open Variation (5 0-0 Nxe4), which
had been very well studied by the Dutch
champion.
5 ...
6c3
7 0-0
8Rel
d6
g6
Bg7
b5
A committing advance, by which Black
seriously weakens his pawn formation.
Usually 8 ... b5 is associated with one of two ideas:
a) after 9 Bb3 to take play along the lines
of the familiar Chigorin formations, by
9 ... Na5 10Bc2c5;
b) after 9 Bc2 to advance in the centre with
... d5.
9Bc2
10Bg5
HBh4
0-0
b6
Qe8
Black unpins his knight, intending ... Nh5
-f4, when under the cover of the powerful
outpost at f4 he will be able to prepare an
attack on the king. 11 ... d5 was possible,
but even then after 12 Nbd2 dXe4 13 NXe4
g5 14 NXf6+ BXf6 15 Bg3 or 12 ... g5 13
Bg3 dXe4 14 dXe4! White retains a
comfortable game.
12NM2
13 Nfl
14Bg3
Nh5
g5
Ne7
In transferring this knight to the scene of
impending events, Black underestimates the
tactical possibilities arising (after White's
reply) from an attack on the knight at h5.
More expedient was 14 ... Nf4, advancing
the knight to a strong position.
Now, by a manoeuvre on the Q-side, White
disrupts his opponent's plans on the K-side.
15 a4!
A\

Games 13 & 14
At the appropriate moment! White creates
pawn tension on the Q-side, and threatens
after axb5 to seize the a-file. Now Black
cannot reply either 15 ... Bd7 16 NXe5 or
15 ... Be6 16NXg5.
In both variations the undefended state of
the knight at h5 is the telling factor. Black
therefore goes in for simplification,
reconciling himself to the loss of his K-side initiative.
15 ... NXg3
16 hxg3
The capture with the pawn nips in the bud
any initiative for Black associated with the
transfer of his other knight to f4. The fl
knight still has a good square at e3.
16 ... Be6
17 d4 f6
18 Bb3 Bxb3
19 QXb3+ QH
20QXH+ KXH
21Ne3
The ending favours White. He has the freer
position, and in addition Black has a 'bad'
bishop, restricted by its own pawns. Now
White threatens to double rooks on the a-file,
but Black easily eliminates this danger.
21 ... Rfb8!
22aXb5 aXbS
23 d5
White closes the centre, establishing his
pawns on white squares. He now threatens
24 g4, with a total bind.
23 ... h5
24Kfl g4
25Nh4 Bh6
26 NefS!
This knight, otherwise Black will
significantly improve his position by exchanging his
bishop.
26 ... Ng8
27 Ke2 Ra4
27 ... Bg5 should have been considered,
aiming for the exchange of the minor pieces,
since Black's defence would have been easier
in the rook ending. After the move in the game
White forces the exchange of all the rooks,
and his advantage becomes clearly apparent.
28 RXa4 bXa4
29 Rbl Rb3
Forced, since White has threatening to
transfer his king to c2, freeing his rook to
attack the a-pawn. Of course, 29 ... a3 does
not help, since after 30 b4 the lone black pawn
is doomed.
30Kd3 a3
31 Kc2 RXb2+
32Rxb2 axb2
33 Kxb2
The position has simplified. Black has
managed to avert the danger on the Q-side, but
he still has a 'bad' bishop, and his knight is
stalemated. He could now have played 33 ...
Bg5, with the aim of exchanging the bishop,
but this would not have saved the game.
There would have followed 34 Kb3 Bxh4 35
gXh4 Ne7 36 NXe7 Kxe7 37 Kc4 f5.
Passive defence by 37 ... Kd7 is weaker in view of
38 Kb5 followed by the advance of the c-pawn
to c5. Earlier I had thought that 37 ... f5
would give Black more counter-chances, but
White has a clear winning plan: 38 f3! f4 39
Kb5 Kd7 40 c4 Kd8 41 Kc6 Kc8 42 c5
dXc5 43 KXc5 Kd7 44 Kc4 Ke7 45 Kb4
A')

125 Selected Games
Kd6 46 Kb5 (zugzwang) 46 ... g3 47 Kb4!
Ke7 (or 47 ... c6 48 dXc6 KXc6 49 Kc4,
taking the opposition) 48 Kc4 Kd6 49 Kb5
Kd7 50 Kc5 Kc8 51 d6, and White wins.
The manoeuvre carried out by Black in the
game has the aim of activating the bishop.
33 ... Bd2
34Kc2 Bel
35 f3 Ne7
36 Nxe7 KXe7
37 fxg4
This exchange fixes the K-side pawn
formation, but at the same time it relieves Black of
any concern over the defence of his h5 pawn.
The simple 37 Nf5+ was more expedient.
37 ... hxg4
38 Nf5+ Kf7
39 c4 Kg6
40 Kb3 Kg5
,V///////. V//,
Ws.
Wtm. V//,
Black intends to sacrifice his bishop, to
open a way for his king into the enemy
position. Passive defence would have
prolonged the resistance, but would not have saved
the game, for example: 40 ... Kf7 41 Ka4
Ke8 42 Kb5 Kd7 43 Nh6 Bxg3 44 NXg4
Bh4 45 Nh6 Bg5 46 Nf5 followed by 47 Ka6
Kc8 48 Ka7 and 49 Ka8; then White plays
50 g4, freeing his knight for the manoeuvre
51 Ne7+ Kd7 52 Nc6 Kc8 53 Na7+ and
54 Kb7, or, if the black bishop is at f2, 51
Ne7+ Kd7 52 Ng8 Bh4 53 Kb8! Bg5 54
Kb7, and Black is in zugzwang.
41 Ka4 BXg3
42Nxg3
43Nh5+
44 Nxf6+
Kf4
KXe4
Kf5
Or 44 ... Kf4 45 Kb5 e4 (45 ... KJ5 46
Nh5 Kg5 47 NgS Kf4 48 N/J e4 49 Kc6 e3 50
NXe3, and wins) 46 NXe4 Kxe4 47 Kc6.
45 Ne82 e4
46NXC7! e3
47Nb5
The idea behind White's manoeuvre.
47 ... e2 is met by 48 Nd4+.
47 ... Kf4
48Nc3 Kg3
49 c5 Resigns.
No. 14 Sicilian Defence
Smyslov-Korrnauer
Groningen, 1946
le4
2Nf3
3d4
4Nxd4
5Nc3
6Be2
70-0
c5
d6
cxd4
Nf6
a6
e6
b5
This move, which is characteristic of the
Sicilian Defence, is premature at this point.
With his development incomplete, Black
begins an attack on the Q-side. Such tactics
can succeed only if White plays passively.
8 Bf3 Ra7
9 Qe2!
43

Games 14 & IS
Much stronger than 9 Be3. In order to
complete his Q-side development, all the same
Black must first move his rook to d7, and
then play ... Bb7. Now 9 ... Rd7 could
have been met by 10 e5 dxe5 11 Nc6 Qc7
12 NXb8QXb8 13 Bc6, winning the
exchange. Therefore Black is forced to
occupy a less favourable position with his rook.
9 ...
lORdl
11 a4
Rc7
NM7
Black's Q-side pawns, weakened by their
early advance, can easily be attacked. 11...
b4 is unfavourable because of 12 Na2 a5
13 Nb5. It is now clear that Black's opening
idea has proved a fiasco.
11 ...
12Nxa4
bXa4
Bb7
12 ... Be7 is no better, in view of 13 Bd2.
*». 'fim.
*
mmmmi
mm * m
'%m. -a. m
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im *=* k?tt*« '
13 e5!
This central breakthrough ensures White
a considerable positional advantage. After
13 ... dxe5 14 Bxb7 eXd4 15 BXa6
Black is in great difficulties. However, the
continuation chosen by him is no better.
13 ...
14 Bxb7
15Qxa6
16Nc6
17 QXc6+
NXe5
RXb7
Qb8
NXc6
Nd7
iflfflhl
fcl
fflj&fr fl Wj
18 Nc5!!
A fine combination, by which White opens
all the lines for the attack.
If now 18 ... Rc7, then 19 NXd7 RXd7
20 Ra8 and wins, so therefore the sacrifice
must be accepted.
18... dxc5
19Bf4!
The point of the combination. On 19 ...
QXf4 White had prepared 20 Qc8+ Ke7
21 Qxb7 Kf6 22 Rxd7 Kg6 23 g3 Qf5
24 Ra7, with a decisive invasion by the heavy
pieces.
19 ... Bd6
20 Bxd6 Rb6
21Qxd7+!
No. 15 Ruy Lopez
Boleslavsky-Smyslov
Grordngen,
le4
2Nf3
3Bb5
4Ba4
50-0
6Rel
7Bb3
8c3
9h3
10Bc2
11 d4
1946
e5
Nc6
a6
Nf6
Be7
b5
d6
0-0
Na5
c5
Qc7
44

125 Selected Games
The classical position of the Chigorin
System in the Ruy Lopez has been reached.
The wealth of ideas contained in Black's
active Q-side set-up has ensured this system
wide popularity and longevity.
12 Nbd2 Bd7
Here 12 ... Nc6 is also played, so as to
clarify the position in the centre. In this case
Black has to reckon with Rauzer's plan:
13 dxe5 dxe5 14 Nf 1, when the white knight
threatens to penetrate on the weakened d5 or
f5 squares.
By the move played Black completes his
development, and retains the possibility of
... Nc4-b6. At b6 the knight is well placed for
the defence of d5.
13dXe5 dXe5
14 Nfl Nc4
15 b3 Nb6
16 a4
Here 16 Qe2 is more solid. In view of
Black's reply, White's Q-side activity proves
premature.
16 ... c4!
17 a5 cXb3
18axb6 QXc3
This move, with its double attack, provokes
great complications. A quieter game results
from 18 ... bxc2 19 bXc7 cXdl=Q 20
RXdl Rfc8 21 NXe5 RXc7 22 Bf4 Rb7,
when Black has a good ending.
19 Bxb3!
The best way out: White sacrifices the
exchange, in the hope of exploiting the
hazardous position of the black queen at a]. The
play now becomes double-edged.
19... Qxal
20Qd2
20 ... Ba3
In defending against the terrible threat of
21 Bb2, Black avoids the risky variations
after 20 ... b4, when 21 Bb2 Qa5 22 NXe5
gives White a strong attacking position, for
example: 22 ... Be6 23 Nc6 Qc5 24 Rcl Qd6
25 Qxd6 BXd6 26 BXe6 fxe6 27 e5, or
22 ... Bb5 23NXf7!RXf724e5, and White's
attack is very dangerous.
21 b7
By this precipitate advance, White
prepares an attacking manoeuvre with his queen,
which, however, meets with a refutation.
21 Ba2 was better, when after 21 ... Be6
22 BXa3 QXa2 23 QXa2 BXa2 24 Bxf8
Kxf8 25 NXe5 Re8 the chances are roughly
equal, for example: 26 Ral RXe5 27 RXa2
b4 28 RXa6 Rb5, or 26 Nc6 Bd5!, with
complications favourable to Black.
21 ... Rab8
22 Ba2 Be6
23 Bxe6 fXe6
24 Qa5 Bb2!
A rare situation. Black's pieces co-ordinate
splendidly, deep in the enemy rear.

Games 15, 16 & 17
25Qc7
26RXcl
Bxcl
The attack with 26 Ng5 is insufficient in
view of 26 ... Qd4 27 NXe6 Qd7!, or 27
RXcl Qa7, when Black retains a material
advantage.
26
RXb7!
This is the whole point. With the loss of his
passed pawn, White's attack loses all its
force. Black remains with a considerable
material advantage, and therefore he aims for
an exchange of rooks, so as to simplify the
game.
27 Qc6 Rb6
28 Qc7 Qa3
29 Qxb6 Qxcl
30QXa6
White eliminates the Q-side pawns, while
retaining the threat of 31 Qxe6+. In the
event of the immediate 30 Qxe6+ Kh8 31
QXa6 Black has 31 ... Qc5, and after 31
NXe5 Qc7 the outcome is decided by the
advance of the black b-pawn.
30... Nxe4
31QXb5 Nxf2!
Now the white king's pawn screen is
destroyed. 32 Kxf2 is met by 32 ... e4,
regaining the piece.
32NXe5
33Kh2
34Kgl
White resigns.
Qg5
Qf4+
Nxh3+!
No. 16 Queen's Gambit
Smyslov-Ragozin
15th USSR Championship, Leningrad 1947
ld4
2c4
3Nc3
4Nf3
d5
e6
c6
A sharp game results from the gambit
continuation 4 e4 dxe4 5 Nxe4 Bb4+
6 Bd2 Qxd4 7 Bxb4 QXe4+ 8 Be2, in
which White gains a strong attack in return
for the pawn.
4 ...
5Bg5
Nf6
dXc4
By destroying the balance in the centre,
Black embarks on a difficult and complicated
path. He creates a Q-side pawn majority,
but allows White to gain the initiative by the
advance of his e-pawn.
6e4
7e5
8Bh4
9NXg5
b5
h6
g5
Nd5
Black chooses a variation which involves a
sacrifice of the exchange. A very popular
reply here is 9 ... hxg5 10 BXg5 Nbd7,
leading to the Botvinnik System.
10 Nxf7!
11 Nxh8
12Rcl
QXh4
Bb4
46

125 Selected Games
The most logical move, the alternative
being 12 Qd2 c5 13 0-0-0 Nc6, with chances
for both sides.
12 ... c5
Black begins a counter-attack with the
aim of developing his game as quickly as
possible, but in the present encounter this
attempt suffers a serious set-back. In his
Sovremenny Shakhmatny Debyut, Sokolsky
suggested the following plan for Black:
12 ... Qe4+ 13 Be2 Nf4, and if 14 f3, then
14 ... Qh7, winning the knight. But instead
of 14 f3 White has 14 Qd2!, with the possible
continuation 14 ... Nd3+ 15 Kfl NXcl
16 NXe4 Bxd2 17 NXd2 a5!, leading to a
position where it is not easy to assess the
chances of either side.
13dXc5 Nd7
14 Be2 Bb7
Not 14 ... Ne3 15 Bh5+ Kd8 16 Nf7+
Ke8 17 Qf3, with advantage to White.
15Bh5+!
This check frustrates Black's plan of
castling Q-side. The bishop goes to the help of
the white knight, which has temporarily been
diverted from participating in the overall
struggle.
15 ... Kd8
16 0-0 BXc3
17RXc3!
Now this rook comes into play with
decisive effect. On 17 ... NXc3 there follows
18 Nf7+ Kc7 19 Qd6+ Kc8 20 c6, with
irresistible threats against the black king.
Black is therefore unable to re-establish
material equality, and is forced to allow the
transference of the rook to the K-side.
17 ... Kc7
18 Ng6 Qe4
19Rg3 Nxc5
20Bf3
Essentially the game is already decided.
White's castled position is securely reinforced,
and his considerable material advantage
ensures him a fairly easy win.
20 ... Qf 5
21 Qd4!
The queen takes up an attacking position
in the centre. The game concluded:
21 ... Kb6
22 b4 cxb3
23aXb3 Qc2
24 B>d5 Rd8
25 Nf4 Bxd5
26 Rc3 Resigns.
No. 17 Ruy Lopez
Smyslov-Reshevsky
Match-Tournament for the World
Championship, The Hague/Moscow, 1948
le4 e5
2 Nf3 Nc6
3 Bb5 a6
4Ba4 d6
Reshevsky chooses an opening variation
which had already occurred in the early
rounds of the event.
5c3 Ne7
The knight is developed here so as to then
47

Game 17
transfer it to g6, from where it defends the
e5 pawn.
6 d4 Bd7
7 Bb3 h6
8 Ng5 was threatened.
8 Nbd2 Ng6
9 Nc4 Bel
10 0-0 0-0
11 Ne3 Bf6
Both sides, in completing their
development, are aiming for the most expedient
arrangement of their pieces. Black could also
have played 11 ... Re8, so as to answer
12 Nd5 with 12 ... Bf8.
12 Nd5 Re8
In the game Euwe-Keres, played in the
first round of the event, Black continued
12 ... exd4 13 NXd4 (13 cXd4 Bg4K)
13 ... Re8. In choosing the move in the
game, Reshevsky assumed that he was
improving the entire variation, but with his
simple reply White gains a positional
advantage.
13 dXe5!
Black is forced to recapture with a piece,
since after 13 ... dXe5 14 NXf6+ his
bishop at d7 is 'hanging'.
13... BXe5
If 13 ... NgXe5, then 14 NXe5 NXe5
15 f4 Nc6 16 e5!, with a strong attack.
14NXe5 dxe5
15Qf3
White's advantage has become apparent.
His knight at d5 occupies a dominating
position in the centre, which has been
strengthened by the opening of the d-file. In
addition, White has two active bishops.
15 ... Be6
Black tries to get rid of the strong knight
at d5. Hardly any better was 15 ... Na5
16 Bc2 c6 17 Ne3 Be6 18 Nf5 Qc7 19 Qg4
Kh7 20 h4! f6 21 h5 Nf8 22 b3, with good
prospects.
16Rdl Bxd5
17Rxd5
Now the rook has taken up an active
position in the centre. 17 eXd5 was weaker in
view of 17 ... e4.
17 ... Qe7
18 Qf5!
Threatening 19 Rd7, and also indirectly
attacking the knight at g6. For example:
18 ... Rad8 19 Bxh6 gXh6 (19 ... RXd5
20Bxd5) 20 RXd8 followed by 21 QXg6+,
and White wins. Black's reply is therefore
forced.
18 .,. N£8
19 Be3 Ne6
20 Radl Red8
21 g3
Exploiting the fact that the black pieces
are tied down, White improves his position
and restricts the mobility of the enemy
knights. Black has no counter-play, and he
decides to neutralize White's pressure on
the open file, even agreeing to the creation
of a backward pawn at d6.
21 ... Rd6
48

125 Selected Games
22RXd6 cxd6
23 Qg4 Kh8
Moving the king to f8 (24 BXh6 was
threatened) had its drawbacks, for example:
23 ... Kf8 24 Bb6, threatening 25 BXe6
fXe6 26 Qf3+ Kg8 27 Qd3, transferring the
queen to the attack on the weak d6 pawn
with gain of time. Or 24 ... Nc7 25 Qf5
(with the threats of QX/7+ and RXd6)
25 ... Ne8 26 Qh7 Nf6 27 Qh8+ Ng8 28
Rd3, with the idea of playing the rook to f3.
24Bb6!
Taking d8 away from the black rook, and
preparing to double heavy pieces on the
d-file (Rd3 and Qdl). On 24 ... Nc7 White
was intending 25 Qf3 Rf8 26 Qd3 Ne8 27 Ba4,
with inevitable loss of material for Black.
24... Nb8
This move meets with a surprising
refutation, but the preparatory 24 ... Rc8 was
also insufficient, in view of 25 Rd2 Nb8
26 Qdl Rc6 27 Ba7 Nd7 28 Bd5 Rc7 29 BXe6
QXe6 30 RXd6, winning a pawn.
25BXe6 fXe6
26 Qh4!
A striking manoeuvre, which leads to the
win of a pawn. After 26 .. .Qxh4 27 gXh4
Black cannot hold his d6 pawn.
26 ... Qd7
27Qd8+
A rare instance in a practical game of
harmonious co-ordination by the white
pieces in the opponent's rear, which logically
results from White's systematic strategy. It is
here that the weakness of the back rank tells!
27... Qxd8
28 Bxd8 Nd7
29 Bc7 Nc5
30RXd6
With the winning of this pawn White gains
a won ending. 30 ... NXe4 is of course met
by 31 RXe6, when Black loses a further
pawn.
30 ... Rc8
31 Bb6 Na4
32RXe6 Nxb2
33RXe5 Nc4
Black goes into the rook ending, since
after 33 ... RXc3 34 Bd4 White mounts an .
attack on g7.
34Re6 NXb6
35Rxb6 RXc3
36 RXb7 Rc2
Black regains one of the pawns, but
White's K-side pawn majority assures him
of a win.
37 h4 RXa2
38Kg2 a5
39 b5 a4
40 Ra7 Kg8
41 g4 a3
49

Games 17 & 18
42Kg3
43Kf3
44Ke3
45 f3
46Kf4
Re2
Ra2
Kf8
Ral
Under cover of his pawn chain, White's
king comes into play, heading for g6. He
already threatens 47 Kf5 and 48 f4.
46 ...
47 e5
48Kf5
49RXa2
50Kg6
51 Ra8+
52 Ra7+
a2
Kg8
Rfl
RXf3+
Kf8
Ke7
Resigns.
No. 18 Grunfeld Defence
Euwe-Smyslov
Match-Tournament for the World
Championship, The Hague/Moscow, 1948
ld4
2c4
3Nc3
4Nf3
5Qb3
Nf6
g6
d5
Bg7
dXc4
This game, which was my last in the
tournament, was of great significance for the
allocation of places.
The opening variation chosen by Black
was, of course, well known to the Ex-World
Champion, but at this most critical moment
I wanted to test once again the viability of
a system which I often used to employ at that
time.
6QXc4
7e4
0-4)
Bg4
Black carries out a plan of piece pressure
on the centre, which is one of the most
interesting problems in modern chess strategy.
8Be3
9Qb3
10 a4
11 d5
12gXf3
Nfd7
Nb6
a5
BXf3
12
Qd6!
An excellent position for the queen, from
where it can go to b4. Euwe thought for
a long time over his reply, and found an
active continuation.
13Nb5
14QXD4
15NXc7
Qb4+
aXb4
Consistently carrying out his plan. 15 a5
could have been met by 15 ... BXb2 16
Ra2 (or 16 Rbl Na4) 16 ... Be5 17 f4 Bd6
18 e5 b3!, with complications favourable
to Black.
15 ...
16 Rbl
RXa4
Euwe retains his rook for the defence of his
Q-side. After 16 RXa4 NXa4 17 b3 Nc3
18 Bh3 Be5 19 Bb6 Na6 20 NXa6 Ra8!
Black would have gained the initiative.
16 ...
17Nb5
18Be2
N6d7
Rc8
18 Nd4 was preferable, when there could
have followed 18 ... b3 19 Nxb3 Rb4
20 Nd2 RXb2, with chances for both sides.
50

125 Selected Games
18 ... b3
19Na3
Covering c2 against invasion by the enemy
rook. After 19 0-0 Rc2 20 Bdl RXb2 Black
wins a pawn, since 21 BXb3 fails to 21 ...
Rb4, when White's minor pieces come under
attack.
19... BXb2
An apparently simple, but in fact crucial,
decision. Euwe undoubtedly considered this
reply, and was hoping by means of the two
bishops to regain the b3 pawn and obtain
the better ending. Such is the great belief
in our time in the advantage of the two
bishops! Here it is interesting to recall that
Chigorin willingly used to battle with two
knights against two bishops, and frequently
with success. In chess there are no unalterable
laws which are suitable for every position,
otherwise the game would lose its lasting
attraction.
20Rxb2 RXa3
21Kd2
Both players had aimed for this position.
White has a strong centre and the two bishops,
while Black has an extra pawn which is also
passed. The question is whether or not he can
hold on to his gain. It is around Black's
passed pawn that all the subsequent play
develops, with his knights displaying great
versatility and activity.
On 21 Bdl there would have followed
21 ... Nc5 22 Bxc5 RXc5 23 Rxb3 Rxb3
24 BXb3 Rcl + 25 Bdl Nd7, when Black
retains the advantage.
21 ... Na6
22 Rhbl NacS
23Bd4
It turns out to be not so easy to regain the
b3 pawn. After 23 Bb5 Ne5 24 Bxc5 RXc5
25 RXb3 NXf3+ 26 Ke3 Rxb5 27 RXa3
RXbl 28 KXf3 f6 29 Rc3 h5 30 Rc7
Kf8 Black retains his extra pawn, with
winning chances.
In the event of 23 Bdl there follows 23 ...
Ra2 24 RXa2 bXa2 25 Ral Ra8 26 Kc3 e6
27 dxe6 fxe6 28 Bc2 b6, and if 29 Kb2,
then 29 ... Ne5, when Black once again
retains a positional advantage.
23 ... e5!
24dxe6
White should not be too severely criticized
for this exchange. On 24 Be3 there could
have followed 24 ... f5 25 exf5 gxf5 26 f4
(or 26 d6/4 27 Bc4+ Kg7 28 Bxc5 NXc5,
when White has parted with his black-
squared bishop; on 29 BXb3 Black wins the
d-pawn in return by 29 ... Rc6) 26 ... eXf4
27 BXf4 Ra4 28 Be3 f4 or 28 Bh6 Kf7, and
Black has all his pieces in play, whereas the
white rooks are tied up with blockading the
enemy pawn.
24 Bc3 also fails to give White full equality.
After 24 ... f5 25 eXf5 gXf5 26 Bb5 b6
White has a difficult game, and Black retains
his extra pawn, for example: 27 Bxd7 NXd7
28 Rxb3 Rxb3 29 RXb3 Rc5.
24... Nxe6
25 Be3 Ndc5
si

Games 18 & 19
MP Hf*
* Ji
jflwwf %Zi
flJB
26BXc5
Thus White gives up one of his bishops and
goes totally onto the defensive. In their battle
against the knights his bishops have failed to
display their superiority, and it is
psychologically understandable that Euwe should now
decide on this exchange, so as to free e3 for
his king.
26 Bc4 is no better, in view of 26 ...
NXe4+!, for example: 27 fXe4 RXc4
28 Kd3 Rb4 29 f3 f5! 30 Kc3 Rb5 31 eXf5
gXf5 32 Rxb3 RXb3+ 33RXb3 Rxb3 +
34 KXb3 f4 35 Bd2 Kf7 followed by playing
the king to f5, when this ending is equally
as won for Black as the one after 26 Bxc5.
26 ...
27Kc3
NXc5
Hoping for 27 ... Na4+ + 28 Kb4, but
Black avoids any unnecessary simplification.
27 ...
28Kd2
Ra4
Kg7!
A good positional move. Black moves his
king to a black square, indirectly supporting
his passed pawn, as will subsequently become
clear.
29Ke3
30Rcl
U Bc4
Rd8
b6
Rda8
The black pawn is immune, since on 32
Bxb3 there follows 32 ... Rb4 33 Rc3 Ra3.
This variation reveals the point of Black's
28th move: there is no check by the bishop.
32Bd5
33 Rcbl
34Kd2
Ra2
R8a4
After this move Black forces a win by
a small but elegant combination.
34 ...
35Ke2
36RXa2
37Ral
Rd4+
Na4!
bXa2
If 37 BXa2, then 37 ... Nc3+ 38 Ke3
Ra4 39 Bb3 Ra3, winning a piece.
37 ...
38Ke3
White resigns.
Nc3+
Rdl
No. 19 Sicilian Defence
Petrosian-Smyslov
17th USSR Championship, Moscow, 1949
le4
2Nf3
3d4
4Nxd4
5Nc3
6Be2
c5
d6
cXd4
Nf6
a6
e6
The placing of black pawns at d6 and e6 is
characteristic of the Scheveningen Variation.
52

125 Selected Games
This set-up promises Black a sound but
rather cramped game.
7 0-0 Be7
8Be3 0-0
9 f4 Qc7
10 f5
In advancing this pawn, White commits
himself to a certain extent to an attack on
the K-side. At the same time he has to reckon
with the weakening of his position in the
centre, where his e4 pawn becomes weak.
The more popular continuation is Qel-g3,
whereby White develops his queen in an
active position and for the moment conceals
his plans.
10 ... e5
11 Nb3 b5
12 a3 Bb7
13Bf3
13 ... Rd8
Black prepares a counter-blow in the centre,
in the event of White playing the aggressive
14 g4, when 14 ... d5 15 eXd5 e4 16 NXe4
NXd5 17 Qe2 Nd7 leads to a sharp game.
For the pawn Black gains fair chances of an
attack on White's weakened K-side.
14 Nd2 Nbd7
15 Khl Rac8
16 Qe2 Nb6
17 Qf2 Nc4
18NXc4 Qxc4
19 Bg5 h6
20 BXf6 BXf6
White's exchange of bishop for knight is
aimed at exploiting the weakness of d5, but
Black's pressure on the c-file, together with
his two bishops, give him good prospects.
The backward d-pawn is easily defended.
21 Radl Qc5
Intending after 22 QXc5 RXc5 to begin
a Q-side pawn offensive. In addition, by
exchanging queens Black ensures the safety of
his king in the event of the position being
opened.
22Be2 Qxf2
23Rxf2
23 ... d5!
The central break finally comes. Now
White should have chosen 24 exd5 e4 25
Nxe4 BXb2 26 Bf3 BXa3 27 Rd3, when his
passed d-pawn gives him play.
24Nxd5
Counting on simplifying the position, but
White allows a black rook onto his second
rank.
24... Bxd5
25eXd5 Rxc2
26 b3 e4!
Black's pawn advances, and he now
threatens to win a piece by 27 ... e3.

Games 19 & 20
27 g4
28Rg2
e3
Rd2
The decisive manoeuvre: Black wins a pawn
while keeping his own passed pawn.
The presence of opposite-coloured bishops
does nothing to ease White's defence, since
with rooks on the board it is difficult to
combat the far-advanced passed pawn.
29 Rxd2
30Bdl
31Kgl
32Kfl
33 a4
34 h3
exd2
RXd5
Kf8
Bg5
h5
h4
At h4 the black pawn fixes White's K-side
pawns, and denies his rook space on the
third rank.
35 aXbS
36Rf2
37Rf3
38Be2
aXbS
Ke7
Re5
RdS
Repeating moves to gain time on the clock.
38 ... Be3 seemed insufficient to Black in
view of 39 f6+ gxf6 40 Rf5.
39Bdl
40Rc3
41Ke2
42Rf3
Kf6
Bf4
Kg5
Tightening the blockade around the white
pieces. On 43 Rd3 Black replies 43 ... Re5+
44 Kf2 Rel 45 Bf3 f6 46 Be2 Rhl, when White
cannot avoid loss of material.
43Kfl
44Be2
4SBdl
46Be2
ReS
Be3
Kf6
Re4
White resigned, since Black's king cannot
be prevented from approaching his d2 pawn,
ensuring an easy win.
No. 20 English Opening
Aronin-Smyslov
18th USSR Championship, Moscow, 1950
lc4
2Nc3
3e4
4eS
Sd4
6Qxd4
7Qe4
e6
Nf6
c5
Ng8
cXd4
Nc6
f5!?
7 ... 66 is the usual move here. The game
continuation has been little studied, and leads
to complicated play. In the event of8eXf6
Nxf6 Black obtains an active game. To keep
his pawn at e5, White is forced to retreat his
queen to a bad position, since 8 ... Nh6
looks to be a strong reply to 8 Qe3.
8Qe2
9Nf3
Nge7
The alternative was 9 f4, reinforcing the
central pawn. The text move meets the aims of
piece development, but makes it easier for
Black to build up an attack on the e5 pawn.
9 ...
10B42
110-0-0
12 Rel
13 h4
14NXd4
15 f4
Ng6
a6
Qc7
BcS
Nd4
BXd4
54

125 Selected Games
15 ... b5!
Black's counter-attack involves an opening
of lines on the Q-side, and at the same time
the white-squared bishop is given an exit at
b7.16 cxb5 aXb5 17 QXb5 can be met by
17 ... Rxa2, or 17 ... BXc3 18 BXc3
Nxf4, regaining the pawn.
16 b5 Ne7
17 Qd3 Bf2
18 Rdl Bb7
19 Qd6 Qc8
Black avoids the exchange of queens,
intending to answer 20 c X b5 with 20 ... Nd5
21 bXa6 BXa6, with the threat of trapping
the opposing queen by ... Bc5.
20Rb3!
A strong defensive manoeuvre. After 20 ...
bXc4 21 Be3 Bxe3 22 RXe3 White
eliminates Black's dangerous bishop.
20 ... Bc5
21 Qd3 bxc4
22 QXc4 Nd5
23 NXd5 Bxd5
24 Qc2 Qb7
25Kbl
Of course, 25 QXc5 fails to 25 ... Rc8,
while on 25 Rc3 there could have followed
25 ... Bd4 26 Rc7 Bxb2+ 27 Kbl Qb8,
refuting the premature activity of the white
rook.
25 ... Rc8
26 Rc3 Kf7!
Safely completing his development. 26 ...
0-0 could have led to simplification after
27 Rcl Be4 28 Bd3 Bxd3 29 Qxd3 Be7, but
now on 27 Rcl there follows 27 ... Bd4
28 RXc8 RXc8, with irresistible threats.
27 Bel
After this apparently natural move White
ends up in a difficult position. Of course, 27
RXc5 would have failed to 27 ... Be4, but
White should have played 27 Bc4, and if
27 ... Be4, then 28 Bd3 Bd4 29 Bxe4 fxe4
30 Rb3! Therefore on 27 Bc4 Black would
have replied 27 ... BXc4 28 RXc4 Be7,
continuing the battle for possession of the
open c-file.
27 ... Bb4
28 RXc8 RXc8
29 Qa4 a5
30Bb5
White defends against the threat of 30 ...
Bc6 31 Qb3 a4, and seeks salvation in tactical
complications.
30 ... Rc5!
31 BXd7 Ke7
Both players were already short of time.
Stronger was 31 ... Be4+ 32 Kal Bc2
33 BXe6+ Ke7! 34 Rd7+ KXe6!, when
Black comes out a piece up. After missing

Games 20 & 21
this opportunity, Black's task is more
difficult.
32Be3!
On 32 Be8 Black had prepared 32 ... Be4+
33 Kal Bc2 34 Rd7+ KXe8, with a won
position.
RXf4, when Black has
active king.
42Kc2
43Rh3
44Kc3
45Kd4
46Rd3
an extra pawn and an
h5
Rg2+
Rf2
Bg4
Kc6!
32 ...
33 Qxd7+
34 a3!
QXd7
KXd7
Not allowing the white king in at c5. On 47
Rc3+ there follows 47 ... Kb7 48 Kc5 Rd2
49 Kb5 h4!
A subtle move. Even so, although White
regains his piece, the active placing of Black's
pieces ensures him a slight advantage.
34...
35bXa3
36 Bel
BXa3
Rc3
Rg3
47Kc3
48Rd6
49Kd2
50 RXe6
Kb5
Rf3+
RXf4
Re4!
Despite the presence of opposite-coloured
bishops, Black's winning chances are very
real.
It is difficult for White to hold his g- and
h-pawns, and so he correctly decides to double
the enemy pawns on the h-file.
Black ties the white rook to the defence of
the e5 pawn, and meanwhile his passed pawns
quickly decide the game.
37 h6
38Rhl
39Rh2
40Bd2
41Bb4
gXh6
Rg6
Bxg2
a4
51Kd3
52Re7
53Bd6
54 e6
55Kd2
56Rh7
White resigns.
h4
h3
h5
Be2+
Bc4
Rd4+
No. 21 Pirc Defence
Smyslov-Kuzminikh
Semi-Final 19th USSR Championship,
Leningrad 1951
ld4
2e4
3Nc3
4Bg5
5Qd2
d6
Nf6
g6
Bg7
White intends to castle Q-side, a plan which
usually leads to sharp play.
41
Bf3
The sealed move. Also strong was 41 ...
Kc6! 42 Bf8 Kd5 43 Rxh6 Rg4 44 Rxh7
3 « • ♦
6Bf4
7Bg3
h6
g5
Nn5

125 Selected Games
80-0-0
9Bb5
Nc6
White is aiming for rapid development,
and is prepared to give up both his bishops
for the opponent's knights.
9 ...
10 Nge2
11 hXg3
12BXC6
13 f4
Bd7
Nxg3
a6
BXc6
White has a strong pawn centre. The
exchange 13 ... gXf4 is of course unfavourable
for Black on account of 14 NXf4 followed
by Nh5, and therefore he defends his g5 pawn.
13...
14 d5
e6
The position demands energetic measures.
Utilizing his lead in development, White tries
to open up the game, so as to mount an attack
on the black king, which is stuck in the centre.
14
Bd7
In the event of 14 ... exd5 there follows
15 NXd5 0-0 16 Nec3, and White's outpost
at d5 gives him the better game. If 15 ...
Bxd5, then 16 Qxd5 Qf6 17 c3 0-0-0 18
Rhfl, and the manoeuvre of his knight via
d4 to f5 gives White good prospects.
15dxe6
16 e5!
fXe6
The start of an interesting attack, in which
the pawns are destined to play the chief role
in breaching Black's defences. The pawn is
sacrificed with the aim of opening the d-file.
16
dXe5
On 16 ... d5 there would have followed
17 f5! BXe5 (or 17 ... eXf5 18 Qxd5 Qe7
19 Qxb7 0-0 20 QXc7) 18 Nd4!, with a
dangerous attack.
Unsatisfactory now is 18 ... BXg3 19
Qe2! Bf4+ 20 KM, or 18 ... c5 19 NXe6
BXe6 20 fxe6 d4 21 Qe2. On 18 ... Qf6
White can play 19 fXe6 BXe6 20 Rhfl Qg6
21 Rdel Bxd4 22 Qxd4, with the threat of
23 Rf6. If 18 ... Qe7, then 19 fxe6 Bxe6
20 Rhel Bxd4 21 Qxd4 0-0-0 (or 21 ...
0-0 22 Qe5 Rae8 23 NX d5 Qf7 24 NX cT) 22
Qa7 Qd6 23 Na4 b6 24 Rd3 d4 25 Qa8 +
Kd7 26 Qe4, and Black's defence is difficult.
17Qd3
This 'quiet' move constitutes the idea of
the pawn sacrifice. The threat of 18 Qg6+
deprives Black of the possibility of castling.
17...
18 Qg6+
Qe7
KdS
If 18 ... Kf8, then 19 fXe5 Be8 20 Qe4
Bc6 21 Qd4 Kg8 22 Ne4 Rf8 23 Rhfl, and
White attains a good attacking position.
19 f5!
A further pawn sacrifice, with the aim of
winning the d5 square. 19 ... Kc8 would
now be answered by 20 RXd7 QXd7 21
f X e6 Qe7 22 Nd5! Qf 8 23 e7 Qg8 24 e8=Q+
QXe8 25 QXg7, and White wins.
19 ...
20Nd5
eXf5
Qf8

Games 21 & 22
21 g4!
There is no slackening in the tempo of the
attack. A third pawn is offered, for the sake
of opening the f-file. Of course, 21 ... fXg4
is decisively met by 22 Rhf 1 and the intrusion
of the rook at f7, while on 21 ... Kc8 there
follows 22 gXf5, when 22 ... Bxf5 fails to
23 Qxf5+ Qxf5 24 Ne7 + .
If 21 ... f4, then 22 Rh3 e4 (or 22 ... a5
23 Nb6 cxb6 24 Rhd3, or 22 ... Kc8 23 Rc3
Bc6 24 Rxc6 bXc6 25 QXc6 Ra7 26 Nb6+
Kb8 27 Nd7+) 23 Qxe4 Qe8 24 Qc4 Qe5
25 Rc3 Re8 26 Nd4, with an attack.
21 ...
22 gxf5
23 f6
a5
Ra6
RXf6
Black has to give up the exchange, since
on 23 ... BXf6 there follows 24 Rhfl.
24 NXf6
25Qe4
QXf6
White avoids the exchange of queens, so as
to exploit the insecure position of the black
king.
25 ...
26Qd5
27QXa5
28Qa6+
29Qc4
Kc8
Bc6
b6
Bb7
Qc6
29 ... BXg2 fails to 30 Qg4+, but the
move played hastens Black's defeat. 29 ... e4
was more tenacious, although after 30 Nd4
White should still win.
30 Qf7!
BfS
30 ... Qf6 does not help, in view of 31
Qd7+ Kb8 32 Rhfl Qg6 33 Rf7. The
remainder of the game is of no real interest,
although Black struggles on until mate.
31 Qf5+
32Rd8 +
33Rxf8
34Rel
35Qc8
36Qb8+
37Qe8
38QXe5
39Qc3
40Qa3
41Ra8
Kb8
Ka7
QXg2
Be4
Rh7
Ka6
Bc6
Rd7
Kb7
b5
Resign.
No. 22 Sicilian Defence
Smyslov-Bronstein
19th USSR Championship, Moscow, 1951
le4
2Nc3
3g3
4Bg2
5(13
6Be3
c5
Nc6
g6
Bg7
d6
Nh6
An unusual position for the knight, the
idea of which is revealed in the variation 7 h3
f5 8 Qd2 Nf7, but White gives the game
a different trend.
7Qd
8Bd2
9h3
10Nce2
Ng4
Nd4
Ne5
White prepares to set his pawn chain in
motion, and to drive back the enemy pieces
with gain of time by f2-f4 and c2-c3. The
58

125 Selected Games
manoeuvre Nce2, with the other knight at
gl undeveloped, is typical of White's handling
of the Closed Variation.
10 ... Qb6
Here the queen indirectly threatens the
b2 pawn. Rather than a systematic
development of his game, Black prefers tactical
complications.
11 f4
White does not deviate from his plan,
judging the coming sharp play to be in his
favour.
11... NXc2+!?
A tempting, but not altogether correct,
piece sacrifice, which has the aim of creating
a Q-side pawn majority. It was better to
agree to the variation 11 ... Nec6 12 c3
Nxe2 13 Nxe2, where White has the freer
game.
12 QXc2 QXb2
13Qxb2 NXd3+
14Kfl!
TTie correct move, since the situation is
happier for Black after 14 Kdl Nxb2+
15 Kc2 Nc4, when his knight is actively
placed at c4.
14... BXb2
14 ... Nxb2 could have been met by 15
Bc3, exchanging the black-squared bishops.
15 Rbl Be6
This leads to a further sharpening of the
play. Now White could have made further
material gains by 16 Rxb2 Nxb2 17 Bc3,
but after 17 ... Ndl 18 Bxh8 f6 19 Bg7
BXa2 the opposing passed pawns could have
become dangerous.
16Bc3!
This relieves the tense situation. After 16 ...
BXc3 17 NXc3 Bc4 18 Nge2 0-0-0 19 Bf3
followed by 20 Kg2 White completes his
development, and remains with the better
chances.
16... Bxa2
Black strives at all costs to create an
absolute pawn superiority on the Q-side, but
in the further course of the game he is unable
to demonstrate the correctness of this decision.
He should possibly have settled for the
variation 16 ... BXc3 17 NXc3 Bc4, when with
three pawns for the piece he retains practical
chances of organizing a defence.
17RXb2 Nxb2
18 BXb2
An unusual position has arisen, where
White has two knights and a bishop against
Black's rook and four pawns. Of course,
White could have captured either of the
attacked pieces, but after 18 Bxh8 f6 his
black-squared bishop would have been out of
play. Rather than a big material advantage,
he prefers an active position for his bishop.
18 ... Rg8
Black decides against castling, and leaves
his king in the centre. On 18 ... f6 there
could have followed 19 e5 fXe5 20 Bxb7
Rb8 21 Bc6+ Kd8 22 Bc3, opening diagonals
for the bishops.
59

Games 22 & 23
19Kf2 Bc4
20Nf3 BXe2+
In view of Black's decision to hide his king
on the Q-side, he was probably hoping by
this exchange to curtail the activity of the
white pieces. As a result, White also acquires
the advantage of the two bishops.
If 20 ... b5, then 21 Nd2 BXe2 22 KXe2,
threatening 23 e5.
21 KXe2 Kd7
22Rdl!
White has the initiative, and by playing
the rook to the d-file he selects a target to
attack—the d6 pawn. It soon becomes clear
that the black king is insecurely placed at d7.
22 ... a5
Black's chances are of course associated
with the advance of his wing pawns, but
White has already mobilized his pieces for
counter operations in the centre.
23 Ne5+ Kc7
Black gives up a pawn, since on 23 ... Ke6
there follows 24 f5+ gXf5 25 eXf5+ Kxf5
26 g4+ with dangerous threats, while if
23 ... Ke8, then 24 Nc4 b5 25 e5, opening
up the position.
24 Nxf7 a4
25 e5 a3
26 Bal Rge8
In this way Black holds onto the d6
square. 26 ... Ra6 does not help, in view of
27 exd6+ eXd6 28 NXd6 Rxd6 29 Be5
Rgd8 30 Bxb7 KXb7 31 RXd6 etc. Now
26 exd6+ is met by 26 ... eXd6+, with
a discovered check to the white king.
27Ng5
The centralization carried out by this move
is one of the basic principles of strategic play.
White now threatens 28 Ne6+ Kd7 29
NXc5 + . On the other hand, the attack on
d6 by 27 Kf2 Ra6 28 eXd6+ eXd6 29
Nxd6 Rxd6 30 Be5 fails to 30 ... RXe5.
27 ... Ra5
28 Ne6+ Kd7
29Bd5 a2
29 ... b5 loses to 30 NXc5+ dXc5 31
Bf7+, winning the rook.
30 g4!
White's minor pieces are successfully
restraining the enemy pawns, and he now
advances his own pawns, so as to create
a passed pawn on the f-file.
30 ... Rc8
31Ng5 Rf8
32 f5
White consistently carries out his plan of
exploiting his K-side pawn majority.
32 ... gXf5
33gXf5 h6
60

125 Selected Games
Of course, 33 ... Rxf5 fails to 34 Be6 + .
34Be6+
35eXd6+
36Ne4
Kc7
eXd6
The conclusion of the game is approaching,
when Black's rooks and pawns will be unable
to resist the onslaught of the white minor
pieces.
36...
37Nxd6
38Be5
39Nc4+
Ra3
RXh3
Ra8
In view of the inevitable mate next move,
Black resigned.
No. 23 Modern Benoni
Smyslov-Tolush
Chigorin Memorial Tournament,
Leningrad, 1951
lc4
2d4
3g3
Nf6
e6
c5
In avoiding the conventional lines with
3 ...d5, Black allows White's central pawn
to cross the demarcation line, thus achieving
certain spatial gains.
4d5
This leads to a complicated game, the
quieter alternative being 4 Nf3.
4 ...
5cXd5
6Nc3
exd5
d6
White is aiming for piece development.
The alternative plan was to create a pawn
centre by 6 f3 and 7 e4.
6 ...
7Bg2
8Nf3
g6
Bg7
0-0
90-0
10Bf4
11 a4
Re8
a6
Qc7
12Qd2
Also to be considered was 12 Nd2, so as to
play the knight to c4, for example: 12 ... Nh5
13 Nc4 Nxf4 14 gXf4, when there can follow
14 ... f5 15 a5 Nd7 16 Na4 Nf6 17 Nab6
Rb8 18 Rcl, intending 19 b4.
12 ...
13 Rfcl
NM7
c4
An interesting idea—Black threatens to
exploit the weakness at b3 by playing his
knight to c5. The drawback to this advance is
the loss of control over d4.
14 Bh6 Bh8
Avoiding the exchange of this important
bishop. On 14 ... Nc5 there could have
followed 15 BXg7 Nb3 16 Bxf6, when White
gains three minor pieces for the queen.
15Qf4
Here the queen occupies an active position
and simultaneously attacks the c4 pawn, thus
restricting Black's Q-side initiative.
15 ...
Rb8
Intending .,. b5. On 15 ... Ne5 White
would have replied 16 Nxe5 RXe5 17 Qd2,
with the aim of transferring his bishop via e3
tod4.
16 h3
61

Games 23 & 24
Directed against the future possibility of
... Ng4.
White does not prevent 16 ... b5, since he
considers his pieces to be well placed to parry
the opponent's Q-side pawn offensive. Weaker
is 16 a5 b5 17 axb6 RXb6, when Black has
pressure on the b-file.
16...
17 axb5
18Nd4
19Qh4
b5
axb5
Nh5
b4
Black consistently carries out his plan.
Weaker is 19 ... Bf6 20 Bg5 Bxd4 21
QXd4 Nc5, in view of 22 Rdl, and now:
a) 22 ... Nb3 23 Ra7 Nxd4 24 Rxc7
Nxe2+ 25 NXe2 Rxe2 26 Be7, and
the white pieces occupy strong positions.
b) 22 ... b4 23 Ne4 Bxh3 24 NXc5
dXc5 25 d6 Qd7 26 QXc4, and White
has a dangerous passed pawn on the d-file.
20Ndl
Ne5
21 Nc6!
This invasion by the knight discloses the
weaknesses in the opponent's position, left by
the rapid advance of his Q-side pawns.
21 ...
22RXc4
Nxc6
The only correct decision. Against 22 QXc4
Black had prepared a cunning retort: 22 ...
NXg3! 23 fxg3 Qb6+ 24 Kh2 Na5, while
after 22 dXc6 Be6 the threat of 23
gives him a strong position.
22 ... Bf6!
. d5
A counter blow. Black hopes for 23 Bg5,
when 23 ... BXg5 24 QXg5 Qd8 leaves him
a piece up. But White has planned an exchange
sacrifice, which leads to a sharp ending.
23 RXc6
24dxc6
25 c7!
Qxc6
Bxh4
An important zwischenzug, luring the black
rook to b6, where it will be badly placed.
25 ...
26gXh4
Rb6
In the resulting position White has a far-
advanced c-pawn, two active bishops, and the
possibility of transferring his knight to the
central square d5. All this places Black in a
difficult situation, in spite of his material
advantage. If now 26 ... Re7, then 27 Ne3
RXc7 28 Nd5, and White wins back the
exchange, retaining a positional advantage,
while on 26 ... Rxe2 there follows 27 Ne3
Ra6 28 Rcl Ra7 29 Nd5 etc.
The following is a significant variation for
the evaluation of the ending: 26 ... Bb7 27
Ne3 Bxg2 28 KXg2 Rc6 {28 ... Nf6 29 Rcl
Rc8 30 Bg5 d5 31 Bxf6 RXf6 32 NxdS
Re6 33 Rc4) 29 Nd5 Rc5 30 e4 f5 31 Ra7
fXe4 32 Rb7 Rxd5 33 Rb8 Rde5 34 Rd8!,
and wins.
62

125 Selected Games
In the event of 26 ... Nf6 27 Ne3 d5 28
Nxd5 Nxd5 29 Bxd5 Black's position
again remains difficult, for example:
a) 29 ... Rxe2 30 Ra8 Re8 31 Rb8 Ra6
32 Bb7 Ra7 33 Rxc8 RXc8 34 Bxc8
RXc7 35 Ba6.
b) 29 ... Re7 30 Bg5 RXc7 31 Bd8 Rd7
32 BXb6 Rxd5 33 Ra8 Rdl+ 34 Kh2
Rcl 35 Ba5, winning the b4 pawn.
c) 29 ... Ra6, which is strongly met by
30 Rdl, threatening to penetrate with the
rook to d8.
With his pawn on the seventh rank, White's
rook is able to create dangerous threats to the
enemy king, and so Black decides to relieve
the situation by exchanging rooks.
26 ...
27RXa6
28Ne3
Ra6
Bxa6
Nf6
In transferring his knight to the defence of
d5, Black loses his b4 pawn. It would have
been more difficult for White to develop his
initiative after 28 ... b3, when his attacking
possibilities are well illustrated by the
following variations:
29 Bc6 Re5 (29 ... Re7 30 Bb5 Bb7 31
Nd5!) 30 Nd5 RXe2 31 Bb5 Rel-f- 32 Kh2
Bb7 33 Bc6 Ba6 34 Ba4.
If now 34 ... Rbl, then 35 Ne7+ Kh8
36 Bd2, and the pawn cannot be captured
because of 37 Bc3 +.
On 34 ... Bb7 there follows 35 Bd2, with
these possibilities:
a) 35 ... Rbl 36 Bc3 Rcl 37 Bxb3, and
the c-pawn will cost Black a piece.
b) 35 ... Re2 36 Bc6 Bc8 37 Nb6 Ba6
38Bb5!
c) 35 ... Rdl (the best reply) 36 Bc6 Ba6
37 Bc3 Rcl, with chances of saving the
game.
Kg7 31 NXb4 Bc8 32 Bd8, supporting the
passed pawn.
30 Bxf6+
31 Nd5+
32NXM
KXf6
Ke6
By winning this pawn White creates two
connected passed pawns, which decide the
outcome of this tense struggle. Black cannot
play 32 ... B X e2 33 Bb7 Kd7 34 Bc6+, when
White wins.
32 ...
33Bb7
34Nd5
Bb5
Bd7
Bc8
The threat was 35 Nb6 followed by 36
c8=Q.
35Bc6
36 M
37 h5
38 h4
39 b5
40 b6
Rg8
g5
g4
Ba6
Bc8
g3
And without waiting for White's reply,
Black resigned.
No. 24 Queen's Gambit Accepted
Evans-Smyslov
10th Olympiad, Helsinki 1952
ld4
2c4
3Nf3
4e3
d5
dXc4
Nf6
g6
29Bg5
Kg7
This move gets away from the normal
development schemes, and gives the play a
different direction, with ideas similar to those of
the Grunfeld Defence. The opening system
with 4 ... g6 requires further practical
testing, but it is undoubtedly of theoretical
interest.
29 ... Ne4 is no better, in view of 30 Nd5
5BXc4
Bg7
63

Games 24 & 25
6 0-0 0-0
7 Nc3 Nfd7
At first sight a paradoxical decision: Black
leaves his Q-side undeveloped. 1 have
frequently employed an analogous knight
manoeuvre in similar positions, with the aim of
creating piece pressure on White's pawn
centre.
8e4
White falls in with his opponent's plans.
More complicated play results after 8 Qe2
Nb6 9 Bb3 a5, as in the game Golombek-
Smyslov (Budapest 1952).
8 ... Nb6
9Be2 Bg4
10 Be3 Nc6
Now the d4 pawn is attacked and must
advance, opening the al-h8 diagonal for
Black's bishop.
11 d5 Bxf3
12 Bxf3
If 12 dxc6, then 12 ... BXe2 13 Qxe2
bXc6, when Black comes out a pawn ahead.
12 ... Ne5
13 Be2 Nec4
Black creates pressure on the Q-side, and in
addition threatens to exchange the white
bishop at e3. On 14 Bd4 there follows 14 ...
NXb2 15 Qd2 N6c4, while 14 Bc5 can be met
by 14 ... Nxb2 15 Qb3 BXc3 16 QXc3
N2a4 and 17 ... Nxc5.
14 Bel c6!
A typical undermining of White's pawn
chain. With the opening of lines, Black's
activity increases. For example, after 15
dxc6 QXdl 16 Rxdl bXc6 he has good
prospects in the ending.
15 Qb3 cXd5
16NXd5
16 eXd5 was more circumspect. The move
played leaves the b2 pawn without cover,
and thus facilitates the development of Black's
initiative.
16 ... Na5!
This manoeuvre was evidently
underestimated by White, who was hoping after 16
... Nxd5 17 Bxc4 to obtain equal chances.
17 Qb5 Nxd5
18eXd5 a6
19 Qd3 Rc8
The outcome of the opening is favourable
for Black. He is ahead of his opponent in
development, and has set up a convenient
target to attack—the isolated d5 pawn.
20 Rbl Nc4
21 b3 Ne5
22 Qd2 Qd6!
Play on the black squares. From d6 the
queen prevents Ba3.
64

125 Selected Games
23Bb2
24RM1
Rfd8
Nd7
In the given position the exchange of
bishops is favourable for Black. It is useful
to retain the knight for attacking the weak
d5 pawn.
25 Bxg7
26Bg4
27Rfel
28Bf3
KXg7
Rc5
Nf6
White temporarily maintains the balance,
since 28 ... NXd5 fails to 29 M Rb5 30 a4,
but Black's following move clarifies the
situation.
28
e6!
Now White's central pawn is doomed.
He could still have put up a resistance by
29 Qb2 eXd5 30 M Rb5 31 Rd4,
endeavouring to blockade the passed d-pawn. But
White, carried away by the desire to maintain
material equality, chooses an erroneous
manoeuvre, and overlooks its elegant
refutation.
29Qb4
30 Qxb7?
exd5
Rc7!
Unexpectedly, the queen finds itself trapped.
White resigns.
No. 25 Benoni Defence
Smyslov-Schmid
10th Olympiad, Helsinki 1952
ld4
2d5
3Nc3
c5
d<5
The alternative here is 3 c4. In the present
game White is aiming for piece play, and
leaves the square c4 free for his minor pieces.
3 ...
4e4
5Nf3
6Be2
70-0
8Nd2
g6
Bg7
Nf6
0-0
Na<5
White carries out the plan involving the
transfer of his knight to c4. No advantage
results from 8 BXa6 bXa6, since Black, at
the cost of a slight weakening of his pawn
structure, gains the open b-file for his rook.
8 ...
9a4
L0Nc4
Nc7
b6
Ba6
Black intends to exchange off the active
knight at c4, so as to prepare a Q-side pawn
oflFensive by ... a7-a6 and ... b6-b5.
HBf4
12 b3!
Rb8
65

Games 25 & 26
At first sight this decision, which involves
an obvious weakening of the al-h8 diagonal,
appears paradoxical, but Black is unable to
exploit the 'hanging' position of the white
knight at c3. At the same time the move nips
in the bud Black's counter-play on the Q-side,
since now on 12 ... BXc4 there follows 13
bXc4, with the better game.
12 ...
13Qd2
Nd7
f5
An attempt to complicate matters. Quiet
continuations would have allowed White to
increase without difficulty his positional
advantage.
14 Radl
fXe4
14 ... BXc3 is dangerous in view of 15
QXc3 fxe4 16 Bh6 Rf7 17 Bg4 BXc4 18
bxc4 Ne5 19 Bh3 followed by Rdel and
Rxe4.
15 Nxe4
W, 6 B S M
■ ASfiAi
15
Rf5
The alternative was 15 ... Bb7, when there
could have followed 16 Bg5 (with the threat of
17 NeXd6) 16 ... Qe8 17 Bg4! Bxd5 18
Nexd6 cxd6 19 Nxd6 Qe5 20 Nb5, and
White wins back his piece, retaining the
advantage. For example: 20 ... NXb5 21
QXd5+ QXd5 22 Rxd5, or 20 ... Be6
21 f4 Qe4 22 Bf3 and 23 NXc7, or 20 ... Bc6
21 Rfel Qd5 22 Qxd5+ Nxd523 Be6+ and
24 BXd5, or 20 ... Qe4 21 f3. In all these
variations, what tells is the undefended state
of the black pieces on the d-file.
16 Bg4!
17 Be6+
18 Qxd5
19Ng5
RXd5
NXe6
Ndf8
19
Bb7
The only way to continue the struggle was
by 19 ... Qc8, although after 20 Nxe6
Qxe6 21 Rfel Qxd5 22 Rxd5 Bb7 23 Rd3
Bf6 24 Bd2 Kf7 25 Bc3 White retains the
advantage. The move played leads to a rapid
show-down.
20 Nxe6
QcS
If 20 ... Bxd5, then 21 NXd8 Bxc4 22
Nc6 Bxfl 23 Nxb8 Be2 24 Rel e5 25 Rxe2
e X f4 26 Re7, and the ending is won for White.
21Nxd6!
22 Qxd6
23Qxe6+
eXd6
QXe6
Resigns
No. 26 Queen's Gambit Accepted
Pytlakowski-Smyslov
10th Olympiad, Helsinki 1952
1(14
2c4
3Nf3
4Qa4+
d5
dxc4
Nf6
4 e3 is more often played. The move played
66

125 Selected Games
has the drawback that the queen comes into
play too early.
4 ... c6
5QXC4 Bg4
Quite a good plan of development. Black
prevents the reply 6 g3 in view of the variation
6 ... BXf3 7 eXf3 g6, with a promising
attack on the white d4 pawn.
5 ... Bf5 also deserves consideration.
6Ne5
Better would have been 6 Nbd2 followed
by 7 g3.
6 ... Be6
7 Qd3 Nbd7
8 Nxd7 Bxd7
So as to have the possibility of answering
9 e4 with 9 ... e5 10 dXe5 Qa5 + . The battle
now revolves around the advance ... e7-e5,
freeing Black's game.
9Nc3 Qb6
10Bd2
White prepares Na4, not fearing 10 ...
QXb2 in view of 11 Rbl. The attempt to
seize the centre by 10 e4 does not achieve its
aim after 10 ... e5 11 d xe5 Ng4 12 Qg3 Bc5,
with a dangerous initiative for Black.
10 ... e5!
Black is prepared to sacrifice a pawn for the
sake of his projected plan. His lead in
development allows him to begin active play in the
centre.
11 dxe5 Ng4
12Qg3
White embarks on a difficult path, hoping
to retain the pawn he has acquired. He would
have done better to settle for 12 e3 NXe5
13 Qc2, switching to positional play.
12 ... 0-0-0
13 h3
This 'natural' move leads unexpectedly to
catastrophe.
13 ... Be6!
This reply evidently escaped White's
attention. Now on 14 hXg4 there follows 14 ...
RXd2 15Kxd2Qxb2+.
14Rdl QXb2!
An energetic continuation of the attack,
The white king, which is stuck in the centre,
will soon come under the fire of all Black's
forces.
15 hxg4 Bb4
16Rh3
Parrying the threat of 16 ... Rxd2.
On 16 Ne4 there could have followed
16 ... Rxd2 17 Nxd2 Rd8 18 Qe3 Rxd2 19
QXd2 Bxa2, indirectly defending the h7
pawn (20 ... Bxd2+ and 21 ... Qbl+). At
the same time Black's Q-side pawns would
have been ready to advance.

Games 26 & 27
16 ...
17Qe3
18 f4
Rd4
RhdS
White finds the best defence, opening an
escape square for his king at f2. 18 Rbl would
have failed to 18 ... Rxd2 19 RXb2 Rdl
mate. After the move played, in reply to 18 ...
RXd2 White hopes by 19 Rxd2 Qcl +
20 Kf2 Rxd2 21 f5 to create counter-chances.
18
BXg4
Black eliminates an important pawn, and
in the event of 19 Rbl Qc2 20 Rxb4 Rxb4
21 Rg3 h5, with the threat of 22... Rbd4, he
retains a strong attack. For example: 22
Bel Rbd4 23 Kf2 Rd3!, with the variations:
24 Qxd3 RXd3 25 Rxd3 Qxcl, or 24
Qe4 Rxc3, or 24 Qxa7 RXg3 etc.
19Rg3
20 RD
Bf5
Ba5!
All White's pieces are tied up, and so Black
is in no hurry to land a decisive blow, but
first intensifies the threat of ... Rxd2 by
moving his bishop to b6.
21 g4
22 e6
23 Qxe6+
24Rd3
Bc2
fXe6
Kb8
If 24 Qe5 +, then 24 ... Bc7. Now comes a
swift finish.
24...
25exd3
26 Qe5+
White resigns.
Bxd3
BXc3
Ka8
No. 27 English Opening
Tolush-Smyslov
Bucharest, 1953
lc4
2Nc3
3Nf3
4e3
e5
Nc6
g6
More common is 4 d4 eXd4 5 Nxd4 Bg7
6 NXc6 bXc6 7 g3, with the flank
development of the bishop.
4 ...
Sd4
6dS
Bg7
d6
Now the centre becomes immobile. The
play takes on a closed nature, and the
possibility appears for breakthroughs on the flanks.
6 ...
7Be2
8Qc2
90-0
10 Rdl
Nce7
f5
Nf6
0-0
h6
Black has the initiative on the K-side, and
White on the Q-side. This foreshadows a
double-edged game, in which it is not easy to
guess whose chances will be preferable.
11 c5!
White cannot delay. The tactical
justification for this move lies in the variation 11 ... e4
12 cxd6. White opens the c-file so as to
commence active play on the Q-side.
11...
12 cxd6
13Nd2
g5
cxd6
f4!
*R

125 Selected Games
::•
Urn., Wmy Wm.r l
W<& W& Wk
m£ iwd"ss,'mk' *im. *
The pawns have advanced, and at the same
time the square f5 has been vacated for the
knight. Of course, the capture on d5 was not
possible, because of the pin after 14 Bc4.
14Nc4
15 a4
16 b3
Nf5
h5
Rf7!
An essential regrouping. Black combines
the conducting of his attack with a systematic
reinforcement of the weak points in his
position. The transfer of the bishop to f 8 enables
the d6 pawn to be over-protected.
17Ba3
18Bd3
Bf8
18 Racl was better, leaving the bishop at
e2, where it is more useful for defensive
purposes.
18 ...
19Rel
Ne8
White underestimates the danger. 19 Khl
was more circumspect, although after 19 ...
Qf6 Black retains an attack.
A move which presents White with an
unpleasant choice: should he accept the pawn
sacrifice, and reconcile himself to the weakening of
his king's pawn cover, or after 20 g3 Qf6 21
Ne4 Qh6 try to hold on in a difficult
position?
20 gxf3 Nh4
21 Nd2 Bh3!
It is this bishop manoeuvre that constitutes
Black's attacking idea. In view of the threat
of ... Bg2 +, the white king cannot shelter at
hi. The attempt at counter-play with 22 Bg6
is refuted by 22 ... Rg7 23 Bxh5 Nf6 24
Bg4 NXg4 25 fxg4 Qc8! 26 f3 Nxf3+ etc.
22 Bfl Qd7
23 Khl Rc8
Black does not hurry to re-establish
material equality, but occupies an open file with
his rook, strengthening his position.
24 Bb2 Bxfl
25 RXfl Qh3
26 Rgl Nxf3
27 Nxf3 QXf3+
28 Rg2 g4
19
f3!

Games 27 & 28
Black's advantage has taken on real
proportions. The position of the white king
is seriously weakened, and the rook at g2
occupies an unfavourable position. 29 Qg6+
Ng7 30 Ne4 is no danger to Black, in view of
30 ... Rf5!, and if now 31 Ng5, then 31 ...
RXg5 32 QXg5 Rc2 33 Ba3 Rxf2 34 Ragl
RXg2 35 RXg2 Qdl+ 36 Rgl QXd5+
37 Rg2 Qxb3, and the white pawns fall one
after another.
No. 28 Nimzo-Indian Defence
29Kgl
Ng7
The knight threatens to move to h4. If
30 Qg6, then 30 ... Rf6 31 Qe4 RXc3 32
Qxf3 gXf3 33 Rxg7+ Bxg7 34 Bxc3
Rg6+ 35 Khl Rg2 36 Rfl e4, with a decisive
advantage in the ending.
30 e4
31Rdl
Be7
Bh4
Now on 32 Rd3 there follows 32
33 NXe4RXc2.
QXe4
32Rel
33Rg3
34Rdl
Bg5
Qf6
a6
Smyslov-Stoltz
Bucharest,
ld4
2c4
3Nc3
4e3
5Nge2
1953
Nf6
e6
Bb4
d6
c5
This move order was employed several
times by Stoltz in the tournament at
Bucharest. The following exchanges enable White
to force a transition into a slightly better
ending.
6dXc5 dxc5
After6 ... Bxc5 Black
iwn at d6.
7Qxd8+
8Bd2
9Nf4
is left with
Kxd8
Ke7
a weak
With the aim after Nd3 of forcing Black to
exchange his bishop.
9 ...
10 a3
b6
Ba5
To be on the safe side, Black deprives the
white knight of the square b5. White has no
useful moves, and is obliged to stick to waiting
tactics.
35Qe2
36Rg2
37Rcl
Bh4
Qf3
An obvious oversight in time trouble, but
after other replies too White's game is lost.
For example: 37 Qd2 Rfc7 38 Rcl Kh7
followed by ... Kg6 and ... Bg5.
37 ...
White resigns.
RXc3
10 ... Bxc3 was better. The retreat of the
bishop to a5 allows a tactical rejoinder.
11 M!
12 axb4
13Ncd5+
cXM
BXM
70

125 Selected Games
A logical development of White's initiative.
The game is opened up, and the black king
proves to be in an uneasy position.
13... Nxd5
14Nxd5+ exd5
15 Bxb4+ Kf6
If 15 ... Ke6, then 16 cXd5+ KXd5
17 Be2 Bf5 18 Bf3+ Be4 19 Rdl+ etc.
16 cxd5
Thus White has re-established material
equality, and has gained predominance in the
centre. The opponent's Q-side pawn majority
is of no great significance here, since Black is
behind in development, and must in the first
instance concern himself over the safety of his
king.
16 ... Bb7
17 Bc3+ Ke7
18 BM+ Kf6
19 0-0-0
White carries out the correct plan. The
position is sharp, and therefore any delay
with the attack may give Black a respite for
the consolidation of his position.
19 ... Ba6
20 Rd4 h5
21 Kb2 Bxfl
22RXH Na6
23 Bc3 Nc5!
Black coolly leaves his king under the
threat of a discovered check. On 24 Rg4+
there can follow 24 ... Ke7 25 RXg7 Na4+
26 Kb3 Nxc3 27 KXc3 Kf6, and, although
a pawn down, Black has drawing chances in
the rook ending.
24 e4!
White begins a pawn offensive in the centre,
preferring the mounting of an attack to the
prosaic pursuit of material gain.
24 ... Rhc8
25 f4 a5
26 f5!
Of course, not 26 e5 + Kf5, when the king
acquires a safe shelter.
26 ... b5
27 d6
Planning to answer 27 ... Na4+ with
28 RXa4+ Rxc3 29 KXc3 bXa4 30 Kd4
Re8 31 e5+ RXe5 32 d7, when White wins.
27 ... Kg5
28 e5
White combines the advance of his pawns
with mating threats to the enemy king.
Black's counter-play on the Q-side is clearly
too late. If now 28 ... Na4+, then 29 RXa4
bxa4 30 Bd2+ Kg4 31 Rf4+ Kg5 32 d7, and
the passed pawns win for White.
28 ... KM
29 d7 Rd8
30 e6! fXe6
31 fxe6 Nxe6
71

Games 28, 29 & 30
32Rd6
33 RH
Kh7
This is stronger than 33 RXe6, although in
that case too White would have won.
33 ...
34Re7
35 Bxg7
Kg8
Nc5
Threatening to move the rook to h6.
Now 35 ... Ra6 fails to 36 Rxa6 Nxa6 37
Re8+, and so Black gives up his knight so
as to drag out the resistance. The remainder is
simple.
35 ...
36R6xd7
37Rxd7
38Bh6
39Bg5
40 g3
41Kc3
42Kd3
43Bf6
44Rg7+
45Be7+
46BXM
RXd7
Nxd7
Re8
Re6
Re4
RM+
Rc4+
Rb4
a4
Kf8
KXg7
Resign,
No. 29 Ruy Lopez
Milev-Smyslov
Bucharest,
le4
2Nf3
3Bb5
4Ba4
50-0
6Rel
7Bb3
8c3
9h3
10Bc2
11 d4
12Nbd2
1953
e5
Nc6
a6
Nf6
Be7
b5
d6
0-0
Na5
c5
Qc7
Bd7
This move leads to one of the lines of the
Chigorin Defence in the Ruy Lopez. It
conforms with the principles of opening
development, and at one time enjoyed great
popularity. I consider the 12 ... Bd7 system
to be perfectly viable for Black.
13Nfl
14dxe5
Rfe8
The exchange of pawns is associated here
with the transfer of the knight via e3 to d5 or
f5. Also to be considered was 14 b3,
maintaining the tension in the centre.
14 ...
15N3h2
dxe5
White begins a regrouping of his pieces.
His plan includes 16 Qf3 and 17 Ne3, while
the other knight can go from h2 to g4,
strengthening the attack on the K-side.
15 ...
16Qf3
17Ne3
Rad8
Be6
It was probably better first to play 17 Ng4,
so as after 17 ... NXg4 18 hXg4 to create
a more effective situation for Ne3.
17...
18Nf5
19 eXf5
Nc4
BXf5
e4!
An interesting positional sacrifice of a pawn
which disrupts White's plan of playing Ng4,
and, after theexchangeof knights, of establish-
72

125 Selected Games
ing control over the key square e4. Capturing
the pawn has its dangers, as was shown by the
course of the game Aronin-Smyslov (20th
USSR Championship, Moscow 1952): 20
BXe4Ne521 Qg3 Bd6 22 f4 (not 22 Bf4 Nh5)
22 ...c4!23Nf3Nxf3+24Bxf3RXel +
25 Qxel Bxf4, when Black had the better
position.
20Qe2
21Ng4
22 f6
Bd6
Nd5!
In an attempt to escape from his difficulties,
White aims for complications. The pawn at e4
very much cramps his game, but on 22 Bxe4
there would have followed 22 ... h5!, when
the knight has no convenient retreat square.
If 23 Nh6+, then 23 ... gXh6 24 Qxh5
Nf6 25 Qxh6 NXe4, and Black's material
advantage assures him of a win.
22 ...
23Ne3
24Bxe3
h5
NcXe3
NXe3
Stronger than 24 ... Nxf6 25 Bg5!
25fxe3
25 QXe3 fails to 25 ... Bf4! 26 Qe2 Rd2.
g6
25 ...
26 a4
c4!
Black has gained a marked advantage in
space. He dominates the centre, and is threat-
ploiting the weakening of the black squares
in White's position. In addition, White's
bishop is shut out of the game, and his pawn
at f6 is highly vulnerable.
27axb5
28Radl
29 Rfl
Stronger than 29
by 30 Rf4.
30Rd4
axb5
Qc5
Qg5
Qe5, which can be met
If 30 Qf2, then 30 ... h4 31 Rd4 (31 Rd2
Bg3 32 Qe2 Rd3! 33 Bxd3 cXd3 34 Qdl
QXe3+, with an attack) 31 ... Bc5 32
RXd8 RXd8 33 Rel Re8, with the threat of
34 ... Re6.
30 ...
31 Rxe4
32Kf2
33Kf3
Qg3!
Qh2+
Bg3+
Be5
If now 34 Kf2, then 34 ... Re6! White's
king cannot escape the attack.
34Qf2
35RXe5
36Ke2
White resigns.
Re6
QXe5
Rdd6
No. 30 French Defence
Smyslov-Stahlberg
Candidates Tournament, Zurich, 1953
le4
2d4
3Nc3
4Bg5
5Nxe4
6Bxf6
e6
d5
Nf6
dxe4
Be7
Bxf6
This move is more cautious than 6
ening to transfer his queen to e5, thus ex- gXf6, which weakens the pawn chain.
71

Games 30 & 31
7 NO Nd7
8Bc4 0-0
9 Qe2 Nb6
10 Bb3 Bd7
110-0 Qe7
In a game with me in 1950, Stahlberg played
11... Ba4, but after 12 Nxf6 + it was bad to
recapture 12 ... Qxf6, in view of 13 BXa4
N X a4 14 Qc4 Nb6 15 Q X c7, winning a pawn.
12 Rfel Rad8
13 Radl Ba4
Black has ended up in a cramped position,
and tries by exchanges to ease his defence.
14 Bxa4 Nxa4
Now 15 Nxf6+ QXf6 16 Qc4 is no longer
possible, in view of 16 ... Nxb2, with a
fork.
15 Qb5 Nb6
16 c4 c6
17 Qb3 Qc7
17 ... Rd7 was more cautious, although
even then White would have had a spatial
advantage, and could have increased the
pressure by 18 a4.
18 NXf6+ gXf6
19Qe3
The start of the attack. Now 19 ... NXc4
would have been met by 20 Qh6 Qe7 21 Rd3,
with these possibilities:
a) 21 ... Kh8 22 Nh4 with the threat of
23 NfS, and 22 ... Rd5 does not help
after 23 Nf5! Rxf5 24 Rh3.
b) 21 ... Rd5 22 Ne5 NXe5 23 Rxe5,
and mate is inevitable.
c) 21 ... Nd6, when 22 Nh4 Kh8 23 Rh3
concludes the attack.
On 19 ... Kh8 there follows 20 Qh6 Nd7
(or 20 ... Qe7 21 Nh4, with the threat of
22 NfS) 21 Qh5, when Black is tied up, and if
21 ... f5, then 22 Ng5 Nf6 23 Qh6 Qe7 24 d5.
19 ... Kg7
20 Ne5!
The knight boldly places itself en prise,
opening the way for the white queen to h6.
The threat is 21 Qg3+ and 22 Ng6+,
exploiting the undefended position of the
black queen, and after 20 ... fxe5 21
Qg5+ Kh8 22 Qf6+ Kg8 23 Rd3 Rfe8 24
Qh6! exd4 25 f4! Kh8 26 Rg3 mate is
inevitable.
20 ... Qe7
21 Ng4 Rg8
This loses the exchange by force. After
21 ... Kh8 White would have retained a
strong attack: 22 d5 cXd5 (if 22 ... NXc4,
then 23 QhS Rg8 24 NXf6 Rg7 25 Re4, with
the threat of 26 Rh4) 23 Qh6 Nd7 24 Rxd5
Rg8 25 RXd7 RXd7 26 NXf6, with a won
ending.
22 Nh6 Qc7
74

125 Selected Games
The threat was 23 Nf5+, winning the
queen, and 22 ... NXc4 is decisively met by
23Nf5+ Kh8 24Qh6.
23 NXg8 RXg8
24 b3
The realization of the exchange advantage
does not present any difficulty. The game
concluded:
24 ...
25Qh6
26Qh4
27Re3
28Rh3
29Rg3
30RXg6
31 Qxf6+
32Qf3
33Qd3
Kh8
Rg6
Nd7
Qa5
Nf8
QXa2
NXg6
Kg8
Qc2
Resigns
No. 31 Queen's Gambit Accepted
Smyslov-Keres
Candidates Tournament, Zurich 1953
ld4
2c4
3Nf3
4e3
5BXc4
60-0
7Qe2
8Bb3
9Rdl
10Nc3
d5
dXc4
Nf6
e6
c5
a6
b5
Bb7
Nbd7
We had already reached this theoretical
position at Budapest in 1950. Then Keres had
continued 10 ... Be7 11 e4 cXd4 12 Nxd4
Qc7. In the present game he chooses a difficult
variation, which theory justifiably considers
to be in White's favour.
10 ...
11 e4
12 e5
Be7
b4
The logical development of White's
offensive; the black knight has no convenient
retreat square. On 12 ... Nd5 there follows
13 Nxd5 exd5 14 e6 fxe6 15 QXe6 c4 16
Ba4, with a decisive attack.
12 ...
13eXf6
bxc3
Bxf6
On 13 ... cxb2 there follows 14 fXg7.
14 dS
This keenly calculated move provides White
with a strong passed pawn in the centre.
14 ... cXb2 is now answered by the simple
15 BXb2 BXb2 (15 ... e5 16 NXe5) 16
dXe6 Bxal 17 exd7+ Kf8 18 Qc4 Qf6
19d8=Q+and wins.
14 ...
15bXc3
16Nd2
e5
0-0
The knight controls e4 and c4, and
prevents counter-play by ... e4.
16 ...
17Nc4
Be7
a5
17 ... Re8 probably did not appeal to
Black, on account of 18 Ba4 with the threat
of 19 Bxd7 and 20Nb6, and by the sacrifice
of a pawn he tries to create tactical
complications.
18 Nxe5 NXe5
19 Qxe5 Bf6
20 Qg3 c4
75

Games 31 & 32
21Ba4
22 Bf4!
Qe7
This strong continuation consolidates
White's positional advantage. Now on 22 ...
Qa3 there would follow 23 Bc6 BXc6 24
dxc6 Qxc3 25 Qxc3 BXc3 26 Racl and
27 RXc4. If 22 ... Qe4, then 23 f3, when
23 ... Qe2 can be met by 24 Rd2, and 23 ...
Qf5 by 24 Qg4.
22...
23 d6
24Rel
25 d7
Rfd8
Qe4
Qf5
White's bishops have paved the way for the
swift advance of his passed pawn.
Strategically the game is decided.
25...
26Re8+
27 h4
28Bg5
b5
Kh7
Ra6
RXd7
Black is forced to give up the exchange, but
this does nothing to restrain White's pressure.
29Bxd7
30Rael
31 Bxf6
32Qb8
33Rb8+
34Rd8
QXd7
Rd6
RXf6
Rf5
Kg6
Qb5
The realization of White's exchange
advantage does not present any difficulty, since
the black king is under attack by the heavy
pieces.
35Rd6+
36Rd8
37Re3
38Rb8+
39Qd8
40RXf3
41gXf3
Kh7
Qc5
Bd5
Kg6
Bf3
RXf3
Resigns
No. 32 King's Indian Defence
Smyslov-Geller
Candidates Tournament, Zurich 1953
ld4
2c4
3Nc3
4e4
5Nf3
6Be2
70-0
Nf6
g6
Bg7
d6
0-0
e5
The most natural plan of development.
The alternative, 7 d5, gives the game a closed
nature. No advantage results from the
variation 7 dXe5 dXe5 8 Qxd8 RXd8 9 NXe5
NXe410NXe4BXe5.
7 ...
8Rel
c6
eXd4
The exchanging operation begun with this
move has the aim of activating the bishop
along the al-h8 diagonal. Black already had
to reckon with the threat of the capture on e5,
while after 8 ... Nbd7 9 Bf 1 Re8 there could
have followed 10 d5, when with the pawn
centre blocked the rook at e8 is less
conveniently placed than at f8, from where it supports
the advance ... f5.
9NXd4
lOBfl
11 h3
12hXg4
13 g5!
Re8
Ng4
Qf6
QXd4
76

125 Selected Games
When one encounters an original treatment
of the opening, it is sometimes useful to
remember Emanuel Lasker and his Common
Sense in Chess. At g4 the pawn was attacked,
whereas at g5 it blockades the pawn 'trio'
f7-g6-h7, and prevents the undermining move
... f5.
13 ... Nd7
14 Bf4 Qxdl
15RaXdl Be5
16 Be3 Nc5
17 f3
A position of dynamic equilibrium has been
reached, in which it is very difficult for White
to mount an effective attack on the d6 pawn.
17 ... Be6
18 Rcl a5
Black consolidates the position of his
knight, and at the same time begins active
play on the Q-side.
19 Rc2 a4
20 a3
Having defended his b2 pawn, White is
now ready on 20 ... f6 to continue 21 gXf6
Bxf6 22 Rdl Be5 23 Ne2, with a
manoeuvring game.
20 ... Reb8
21 Rbl!
21 Rdl would have been met by 21 ... b5,
when 22 cxb5 fails to 22 ... Bb3, while
on 21 Ne2 there could have followed 21 ...
Nd3 22 Rbl b5 23 cXb5 Ba2 24 Ral Bb3
25 RXc6 Bxb2, with complications.
21 ... h6
Black overrates his chances. By sacrificing
a pawn, he prepares the undermining ... f5,
but this activity is insufficiently justified.
22 gxh6 f5
23 f4 Bf6
On 23 ... BXc3 there would have followed
24 BXc5! dXc5 25 RXc3 fxe4 26 Re3 Bf5
(26 ... Rd8 27 b4l aXb3 28 RlXb3) 27 Be2
Re8 28 Rdl, with a decisive advantage.
24 e5 Be 7
25eXd6 Bxd6
26 Rdl Bf8
27Nd5!
A spectacular move. 27 ... cXd5 is met by
28 cXd5, regaining the piece with a big
advantage.
27 ... Rd8
28 Nf6+ Kf7
77

Games 32, 33 & 34
28 ... Kh8 was more tenacious, although
even then Black's position would have
remained difficult. There could have followed
29 Rel Be7 30 Kh2 Bxf6 (30 ... Bf7 31 Bd4
RXd4 32 RXeT) 31 BXc5 Re8 (31 ... Bf7
32 Bel BXe7 33 RXeT) 32 Rce2 Bf7 33 Be7
Bd434c5Kh735RdlBc436RXd4BXe237
Rd7, with a decisive attack.
29Rxd8
30Nh7
RXd8
The only move for the knight, but a very
strong one. The threat is 31 Nxf8.
30 ...
31Ng5+
32 g4!
Ne4
Kf6
The winning move, since 32 .
fails to 33 NXe4+ fXe4 34 g5 + .
Bxh6
32 ...
33 NXe4+
34g5+
35 KG
36Rd2
37BXd2
38Be3
39Bd4
40Ke3
41 c5
42Be2
43Bdl
44BXa4
No. 33 Queen's
Rdl
fXe4
Kf7
Rd7
RXd2+
Bc5+
Bd6
Kg8
Bf5
Bc7
Ba5
Bel
Resigns
Gambit
Keres-Smyslov
Candidates Tournament, Zurich 1953
lc4
2Nc3
3Nf3
4e3
5b3
6Bb2
Nf6
e6
c5
Be7
0-0
b6
This plan of development leads to more
interesting play than 6 ... d5 7 cXd5 NXd5
8 N X d5 Qx d5 9 Bc4, where there is an early
tendency towards simplification.
7d4
8exd4
9Bd3
10 0-0
11 Rel
12 Rel
cXd4
d5
Nc6
Bb7
Rc8
Played with great circumspection. On 12
Qe2 there could have followed 12 ... Nb4
13 Bbl dXc4 14 bXc4 Bxf3, when White's
central pawns come under attack.
12
Nb4
A typical tactical device, which enables
Black to 'relieve' the position. After the
enforced retreat of the bishop to fl (otherwise
the c4 pawn is lost), Black establishes control
over e4.
13Bfl
Ne4
The logical continuation of the preceding
manoeuvre. Now the threat is 14 ... NXc3
and 15 ... NXa2, and 14 NXe4 is not good
for White in view of 14 ... dxe4 15 Nd2 f5
16 f3 Bf6 etc.
14 a3
15RXC3
16Ne5
NXc3
Nc6
The alternative was 16 c5, but White is
attracted by the possibility of an attack on the
opposite wing. What he intends to begin is
not a systematic siege, but a genuine storm of
the enemy king position.
16 ...
17 RXe5
18Rh5
19Rch3!
Nxe5
Bf6
g6
78

125 Selected Games
The picturesque deployment of the rooks
on the h-file appears very threatening. Not
stopping short at sacrifices, Keres mounts an
energetic offensive. This game was of great
importance for both players.
19 ... dXc4!
The best move! Black opens the diagonal
for his white-squared bishop. The acceptance
of the rook sacrifice was dangerous, in view
of the variation 19 ... gXh5 20 Qxh5 Re8
21 Qh6 dXc4 22 d5 Bxb2 23 Rg3+ Kh8
24 Rh3 Kg8 25 Rg3+, with a guaranteed
draw for White. In addition, he retains
attacking possibilities after 21 a4!.
20RXh7
After 20 bXc4 Black can now play 20 ...
gXh5 21 QXh5 Be4!, when the bishop is
included in the defence. Or 21 Bd3 Re8 22
QXh5 Kf8 23 a4 Qd6 24 Bfl (no better is
24 c5 Qd5, or 24 Be4 BXe4 25 Ba3 Qxa3 26
RXa3 RXc4) "iA ... Qf4 25 Ba3+ Be7 26
Rh4 Qf6, and White's attack is repulsed.
Objectively best for White, as pointed out
by Bronstein, was 20 Qg4 c3 21 BXc3 RXc3
22 RXc3 QXd4 23 Qxd4 Bxd4 24 Rc7
gXh5 25 RXb7 Rc8 26 Bc4, and it is unlikely
that Black can realize his extra pawn.
20 ... c3!
The start of Black's counter-attack. This
pawn advance refutes White's aggressive
intentions. 21 Bxc3 fails to 21 ... RXc3 22
RXc3KXh7.
21 Qcl Qxd4
22 Qh6 Rfd8
At just the right time. Now the threat of
23 Rh8 + is parried, and it turns out that the
tripling of White's heavy pieces on the h-file
has not achieved anything. The initiative
passes to Black.
23 Bel Bg7
24 Qg5 Qf6
25 Qg4 c2!
With the threat of 26 ... Rdl, while 26
Bg5 is decisively met by 26 ... cl = Q.
26 Be2 Rd4
27 f4 Rdl + !
28 Bxdl Qd4+
White resigns.
No. 34 English Opening
Smyslov-Reshevsky
Candidates Tournament, Zurich 1953
1 c4 Nf6
2Nc3 e6
3Nf3
This move order allows White to avoid the
Nimzo-Indian Defence, an opening which
has been well studied by Reshevsky.
79

Game 34
3 ... Bb4
4g3 b6
5Bg2 Bb7
6 0-0 0-0
7Qb3
This move forces Black to determine the
position of his bishop. Now the exchange on
c3 does not result in doubled pawns, while
if the bishop retreats to e7, White can play
8 d4, gaining a tempo in comparison with
normal Queen's Indian set-ups.
7 ... BXc3
7 ... a5 deserves consideration, so as to
answer 8 a3 with 8 ... Bxc3 9 QXc3 a4,
blockading White's Q-side pawn group.
8 QXc3 d6
9b3 Qe7
10 Bb2 c5
11 d4 Nbd7
12 Radl
The result of the opening is favourable for
White, who has gained the freer game.
12 ... Be4
Control over e4 is Black's chief strategic
problem in this position. Now 13 d5 can be
met by 13 ... eXd5 14 cxd5 b5, with
counterplay on the Q-side.
13dxc5 NXcS
14Qe3!
A strong manoeuvre, threatening Bxf6
and b3-b4, which practically forces Black's
reply.
'^
"mf'mAi
^ mm ml im.^
^2 isi^ JH^ fElyiJ
14 ...
15Bb3
e5
With the aim of playing Nh4 without
allowing the exchange of white-squared bishops.
In the opponent's pawn formation a target
has been created for attack—the backward
pawn at 66. However, the straightforward
doubling of rooks on the d-file cannot prove
successful, since the 66 pawn is easily
defended. White therefore continues to strengthen
his position, so as to obtain new positional
advantages.
15
a5
Black consolidates his knight at c5,
completing his defensive set-up on the Q-side.
It is interesting to note that at this point
Reshevsky had used up more than two hours
of his time. For the remaining 25 moves to the
time control he had about half an hour left
on his clock.
16Nh4
17 f3
18Rd2
19Rfdl
20 Nxg6
Rfe8
Bg6
Rad8
Qc7
White decides to leave himself with two
bishops against the two black knights. He
must now strive for an open game, while
Black will endeavour to restrict the mobility
of the enemy bishops.
20...
21Bg2
hXg6
Nh5
Black has built up a sound position, and
subsequently adopts waiting tactics. Indeed,
his defences are not easily attacked, so long
as his pawn weaknesses at b6 and 66 are
covered by the strong knight at c5.
22Qc3
23 e4
24Qe3
Nf6
Nh5
Nf6
80

125 Selected Gaines
25Bh3 Nh7
26 Re2 Nf6
27Rfl Nh5
Black manoeuvres with his knight, so as to
prevent the advance f3-f4.
28Bg2 Qe7
Black intends on 29 f4 to activate his
pieces by 29 ... eXf4 30 gXf4 Qh4.
29 Bel
With this move White indicates his real
intentions—to begin play on the Q-side. His
plans include transferring his bishop to e3,
and the preparation of a break-through by
a2-a3 and b3-b4. The alternation of threats
on different parts of the board is a typical
device for the side holding the initiative.
29 ... Qc7
30Rdl Kh7
31 Qf2 Nf6
32Be3 Nh5
33 Rc2!
The positional pressure increases. White
now threatens a2-a3 and b3-b4, driving back
the opposing knight. Realizing very clearly
that if the game continues to take a quiet
course it will be unfavourable for him,
Reshevsky makes a reckless attempt to
complicate matters.
33 ... f 5
Objectively, this move should be
condemned, since it makes it easier for White to
attack. But in sharp positions it is much more
difficult to conduct an attack than under
quiet conditions, and it was obviously this
that my opponent was counting on.
34 exf5 gXf5
35 g4!
A strong move. Now 35 ... fXg4 fails
to 36 Qh4 followed by 37 fXg4, and therefore
Black is bound to lose material.
35 ... Nf4
36 Bxf4 exf4
37 Qh4+ Kg8
38 gXf5 d5
Otherwise the f4 pawn falls. Black tries to
activate his pieces, but this attempt costs him
dearly.
39cXd5 Qe5
40 Rcd2 Rd6
It is essential to blockade the passed pawn;
40 ... QXf5 could have been answered by
41 d6.
Here the game was adjourned, and White
sealed his next move.
On resumption there followed:
41 Rd4 Qe3+
The alternative, 41 ... QXf5, would have
allowed White to mount an attack by 42
RXf4 Qc2 43 Rel. For example, 43 ...
81

Games 34 & 35
RXel + 44 QXel QXa2 45 Bh3, with strong
threats against the black king.
42Khl
43Qxf4
44Rxf4
Re5
QXf4
Re2
After 44 ... RdXd5 45 RXd5 RXd5
White could have replied 46 Bf 1 Rd2 47 f6,
activating his pieces.
45Rg4
46Rg6
47Re6
48 f4
Kf8
Nb7
RXa2
Rb2
48 ... a4 fails to save the game after 49
Rdel aXb3 50 Re8+ Kf7 51 R8e7+ Kf6
52 RXb7 b2 53 Be4 etc.
49 Rdel
50dXe6
51e7+
52Bd5+
53Bc6+
54e8=Q +
55BXe8+
56Bg6
RXe6
Nd6
Kf7
Ke8
Kf7
NXe8
Kf6
Resigns
No. 35 Nimzo-Indian Defence
Geller-Smyslov
Candidates Tournament, Zurich, 1953
ld4
2c4
3Nc3
4e3
5Bd3
6a3
Nf6
e6
Bb4
c5
0-0
This move leads to the Sdmisch Variation,
in which play is sharp right from the opening
stage. White aims for an attack in the centre
and on the K-side, while Black tries to exploit
the doubling of the white pawns on the c-file.
6...
7bXc3
8Ne2
90-0
Bxc3+
Nc6
b6
Ba6
A good plan of development, suggested by
Capablanca. Black concentrates his forces
for an attack on the c4 pawn.
10 e4
HQa4
Ne8
Apparently a new manoeuvre, which has
the idea of meeting 11... Na5 with 12 dXc5
bxc5 13 e5, and if 13 ... d6, then 14 eXd6
NXd6 15 Rdl, when White's activity
becomes dangerous.
11 ... Qc8!
I thought for about an hour before making
this move. Now on 12 dXc5 there follows
12 ... Ne5 13 Rdl bXc5, when Black has
a comfortable game.
12 Be3 d6
A year later the game Geller-Simagin
(USSR Championship Semi-Final, 1954)
continued here 12 ... Na5 13 dXc5 d6!
14cXb6aXb615Qc2NXc416BXc4BXc4,
when Black's chances were preferable.
13 Radl
13 Ng3 is rather more energetic, so as to
answer 13 ... Na5 with 14 d5!
13
14
Na5
dXc5
14 ... cXd4 was threatened. If 14 d5,
then 15 ... e5 16 Ng3 f6 17 Nf5 Rf7 and
then 18 ... Qd7.
14 ...
15 e5
16Qc2
dXc5
Qc6
After the exchange of queens the ending
favours Black, since he returns his knight
to a5.
82

125 Selected Games
16
f5!
17Qa2
From now on White is condemned to
passive defence. If 17 eXf6, then 17 ...
Nxf6 18 Bg5 BXc4 19 Bxf6 BXd3 20
RXd3RXf6 21 c4 Raf8 22 f3 Qe4! 23 Rcl
Qh4 and Black maintains a material
advantage.
17 ...
18Nf4
19Bc2
Qa4
Nc7
Qe8
Black's strategic plan envisages play on
both wings. Of course, both 19 ... Bxc4
20 BXa4 BXa2 and 19 ... Qxc4 20 Qal
Qb5 21 Rfel Qe8 would have ensured him
an advantage, but the move played also has
its virtues.
20Bb3
In order to hold his pawn, White is forced
to make this awkward move. He subsequently
displays remarkable ingenuity in defence,
but the organic weakness of his pawn
formation is irreparable, and Black's initiative
develops unhindered.
20...
21Nh3
22 f3
g5
h6
If 22 f4, then 22 ... g4 23 Nf2 Qe7 24 Rd6
Rfd8 25 Rfdl Ne8, forcing the exchange of
rooks on the d-file.
22 ...
23Nf2
24Nd3
Qe7
Rad8
Qg7!
An excellent post for the queen, attacking
the e5 pawn. Now Black threatens to double
rooks on the open file.
25 f4
26Ncl
27RXd7
28Qe2
Rd7
Rfd8
RXd7
28
Nd5!
Exploiting the pin, the hitherto inactive
knight comes into play. In spite of his
tenacious defence, White is unable to stabilize
the position.
29Bd2
30BXf4
31 RXf4
32 g3
33Kf2
NXf4
gXf4
Qg5
Kh7
Qd8
The open file provides Black with scope
for manoeuvring. He alternates attacks on
White's weak pawns with threats to invade
with his rook.
34Qh5
35Qe2
36Qh5
37Qe8
Rg7
Rd7
Qg5
Both sides were short of time. In the event
of 37 Qe2 there could have followed 37 ...

Games 35 & 36
Qg7, with the threat of 38 ... Rd5. If now
38 Rf3, then 38 ... Qg4 39 Rd3 QXe2+
40 KXe2 Rxd3 41 KXd3 Nc6, and Black
wins both the e5 pawn, and then the c4 pawn.
If 38 Qe3, then 38 ... Rd8 (preparing
39 ... Nc6), for example: 39 Ba2 Qd7 40
Rh4 Qd2+ 41 Ne2 Qxe3+ 42 KXe3 Rdl
followed by ... Ral.
37 ... Qe7
38QXe7+
White is forced to exchange queens and
go into a difficult ending. 38 Qh5 is strongly
met by 38 ... Qg7 39 Qe8 (or 39 Rh4 Rd2+
40 Kel RdS 41 Kf2 Nc6) 39 ... Re7 40 Qd8
Nc6 41 Qd6 NXe5, when Black is a pawn
up with a continuing attack.
38 ... RXe7
39 Ba2 Rd7
The pawn cannot be held, in view of 50
Now Black threatens both 40 .
40 ... Rdl.
40 Ke2 Bb7
Nc6 and
With the idea of transferring the bishop
e4 and then playing .
41Bbl
42 g4
43 RXg4+
44Rh4
. Nc6.
Kg8
fXg4
Rg7
The ending after 44 RXg7+ KXg7 is won
for Black, for example: 45 Ba2 Kg6, or 45
Bd3 Ba6. But now Black's rook penetrates
onto the back rank.
44 ...
45Kd2
46Bd3
47Rf4
48Ne2
49Ke3
If 49 h4, then 49 .
Re3 Rg4.
49 ...
50 h4
Rgl
Kg7
Bf3
Bh5
Rg2
. Nc6 50
Rg5
Re4 Nc6 51 Nf4 Bf7.
50 ...
51Kd2
52Kdl
53Kc2
54Rf2
RXe5+
Nb3+
Re3
e5
e4
White resigns.
On 55 Nf4 there follows 55 ... eXd3+
56 Kxb3 Be2, with the threat of 57 ... d2.
No. 36 French Defence
Smyslov-Botvinnik
World Championship Match, Moscow, 1954
9th Game
le4
2d4
3Nc3
4e5
5a3
e6
d5
Bb4
c5
Ba5
This continuation is not as popular as
5 ... BXc3 + . In my opinion, the present
game reveals some of the drawbacks to
Black's opening system.
6b4
Alekhine's well known recipe. After 6 ...
cXb4 7 Nb5 bxa3+ 8 c3 White has splendid
development in return for the pawn.
6 ... cXd4
7Qg4!
Stt

125 Selected Games
It is not normally recommended to bring
out the queen early in the game, but here this
attacking move is perfectly appropriate, and
promises White a dangerous initiative. A
quieter game results from 7 Nb5 Bc7 8 f4
Ne7 9 Nf3 Bd7 10 NbXd4 Nbc6 11 c3 etc.
1 ... Ne7
A typical manoeuvre when Black is aiming
for active defence.
Black sacrifices his K-side pawns, so as to
develop his pieces as quickly as possible, and
to create counter-play on the open files. Too
passive is 7 ... Kf8 8 bXa5 dxc3 9 Nf3,
when it is not easy for Black to solve his
development problems.
8bXa5 dXc3
9 QXg7 Rg8
10 QXh7 Nd7
This move, with the idea of playing the
knight to f8, does not appeal to me. In a sharp
position every tempo is especially precious.
More in line with Black's development needs
was 10 ... Nbc6, so as after ... Bd7 to
prepare Q-side castling.
HNf3
Better than 11 f4, when the scope of the
black-squared bishop is restricted.
11 ... Nf8
In his book on the match Botvinnik
recommended here 11 ... Qc7, but then White
has the strong reply 12 Bb5! Now 12 ...
RXg2 is dangerous because of 13 Kfl Rg8
14 Rgl, when after the exchange of rooks the
black king is in a desperate situation, while
White also retains the better chances after
12 ... a6 13 Bxd7+ Bxd7 14 0-0.
12 Qd3 Qxa5
13 h4 Bd7
14Bg5!
The bishop takes up a highly favourable
post, from where it not only prevents castling,
but also achieves complete domination of
the weakened black squares. Now both kings
remain in the centre, but White's advantage
is undisputed, the most important factor
being the possibility of advancing his h-pawn.
14 ... Rc8
15Nd4
This centralization of the knight
simultaneously eliminates the threat of ... Rc4-
e4+. On 15 ... Rc4 there follows 16 Qe3
Ra4 17 Rbl RXa3 18 Nb5, with an attack.
15 ... Nf5
16 Rbl!
In order to evaluate this apparently modest
move at its true worth, a deep study of the
position is required. Black has renewed the
threat of ... Rc4, and would also like to
exchange the white-squared bishops by 16...
NXd4 17 QXd4 Bb5. It is unfavourable to
exchange on f5, since then the other knight
at f8 acquires a comfortable post at e6.
The move played not only parries Black's
threats, but also creates the preconditions for
an attack.
16 ... Rc4
A fatal idea, since Black's counter-play
meets with an elegant refutation. Better was

Games 36 & 37
16 ... b6 17 g4 NXd4 18 Qxd4 QXa3,
although after 19 Bd3 White has an
undisputed advantage.
17 Nxf5 exf5
18 RXb7 Re4+
Black could have prolonged the game, but
not saved it, by 18 ... RXg5, when after 19
hXg5 Re4+ 20 Be2 Ng6 (or 20 ... Ne6 21
g6\ fXg6 22 Rh8+ Ke7 23 Rh7+ etc.) 21
Kf 1! Nf4 22 Qa6 White remains the exchange
up.
19 QXe4!!
This spectacular queen sacrifice decides the
outcome of this brief but stormy battle.
The black king finds itself in a mating net.
19... dxe4
20Rb8+ Bc8
21Bb5+ Qxb5
Of course, not 21 .., Nd7 22 RXc8+,
but now White wins easily by utilizing his
passed h-pawn.
22 Rxb5 Ne6
23 Bf6 RXg2
24 h5 Ba6
25 h6 Resigns.
No. 37 King's Indian Defence
Botvinnik-Smyslov
World Championship Match, Moscow, 1954
14th Game
ld4
2c4
3g3
4Bg2
5Nc3
6Nf3
70-0
8e4
Nf6
g6
Bg7
0-0
d6
Nbd7
e5
c6
This plan of development, retaining the
tension in the centre, appeals to me more
than 8 ... exd4. The position after 8 ... c6
occurred in games between Botvinnik and
Bronstein (in 1944 and 1951), and drew my
attention during my preparations for the
match.
9Be3
9 d5 or 9 h3 is usually played.
The development of the bishop at e3 is
perfectly playable in reply to 8 ... Re8, but
in the given situation it can hardly be
recommended.
9 ... Ng4
10Bg5 Qb6
11 h3
Nothing new so far! In a well known game
Lilienthal-Konstantinopolsky (Sochi, 1952)
11... Ngf6 was played here, but this obvious
reply is not the best. The position contains
a sharp counter-attacking possibility.
11... exd4!
A highly unpleasant surprise, leading to
great tactical complications.
This continuation made such a strong
impression on my opponent, that in his notes
to this game Botvinnik wrote: "It is
surprising that Smyslov was able to make highly
detailed preparations for a variation which
86

125 Selected Games
I had never before adopted, except in training
games..."
Methods of opening preparation are
widely-known, and do not contain any
secrets, so I will express a few thoughts on this
point.
As we know, the move 9 Be3 had been
played earlier, and so, in my theoretical
analysis of this opening system, this move was
also examined, along with 9 d5 and 9 h3.
And I succeeded in discovering an
improvement for the defence with 11 ... exd4!
Such is the history of the innovation which
brought me success in the present game.
12 Na4 Qa6
13 hXg4 b5!
This energetic manoeuvre regains Black his
lost material, since the attacked knight has no
good retreat square.
After 14 Be7 Re8 15 BXd6 bXa4 16
Nxd4 Ne5 or 14 cXb5 cXb5 15 NXd4
bXa4 16 e5 Bb7 Black's game is preferable.
14NXd4 bxa4
15NXc6
In this way White wins the exchange, but
subjects himself to considerable danger.
However, in other variations he could have
found himself in a difficult position without
any compensation, for example: 15 b3 Ne5
16Be7BXg4 17 f3 Rfe8 18 BXd6 Rad8
etc.
15... Qxc6
16 e5 QXc4
17BXa8 NXe5
Black has excellent play for the exchange,
since the white pieces are disunited and can
easily come under attack. If 18 Qxd6, then
18 ... QXg4 with dangerous threats on the
K-side, while after 18 Be7 BXg4 19 Qd5
Re820Bxd6Rd821 QXc4NXc4oneofthe
attacked bishops is lost.
18 Rcl Qb4
19 a3! QXb2
20 Qxa4 Bb7!
A strong manoeuvre. With the exchange of
the white-squared bishops White's king
position is weakened.
21Rbl
For a number of moves White has been
defending carefully, but here he fails to find
the best reply. After 21 BXb7 QXb7 22 Rc3!
h6 23 Bf4 Nf3+ 24 Rxf3 QXf3 25 BXd6
Rd8 26 Bc5 the game is almost level. The
move played meets with a convincing
refutation.
21... Nf3+
22 Kill BXa8!
23 Rxb2 NXg5+
24Kh2 Nf3+
25 Kh3 BXb2

Games 37 & 38
The exchanging operation has brought
Black considerable gains: his three minor
pieces are more than sufficient compensation
for the queen. In addition, the white king
continues to come under attack.
26 Qxa7 Be4
27 a4 Kg7
28 Rdl Be5
29 Qe7 Rc8!
Black's minor pieces have taken up ideal
positions in the centre, and now his rook
comes into play, which quickly decides the
outcome of this tense battle.
30 a5 Rc2
31 Kg2 Nd4+
32Kfl Bf3
33 Rbl Nc6
White resigns.
No. 38 Griinfeld Defence
Smyslov-Szabo
Hastings 1954-55
1 c4 Nf6
2Nf3 g6
3d4 Bg7
4g3 0-0
5Bg2 d5
6cXd5 NXd5
70-0 c5
A good continuation. By the advance of his
pawn Black intends to open the diagonal for
his fianchettoed bishop, and to shake
somewhat White's position in the centre.
Also to be considered was piece play by
7 ... Nc6 8 Nc3 Nb6, and if 9 d5, then
9 ... Nb4 10 e4 c6, aiming to undermine the
opponent's pawn wedge.
8e4
The most active attempt to gain an
advantage in the centre. 8 dXc5 can be met by
8 ... Na6, regaining the pawn.
8 ... Nf 6
9e5 Nd5
10 dXc5 Nb4
This move occurred in the 19th game of the
Botvinnik-Bronstein match in 1951. At the
11th Olympiad in Amsterdam, Szabo in a
game against Stahlberg played 10 ... Nc6,
but after 11 a3 Nc7 12 Qb3 Na6 13 Be3 Qc7
14 Nc3 Be6 15 Qa4 h6 16 Racl g5 17 b4
White gained the advantage.
11 Nc3 N8c6
12Qe2
The Botvinnik-Bronstein game went 12 a3
Nd3 13 Be3 Bg414 h3 Bxf3 15 Qxf3 NdXe5
16 Qe4 Qd3 17 Qa4 Qc4. The move in the
game leads to play of a different nature.
12 ... Qd3
To parry the threat of 13 Rdl, Black forces
the exchange of queens.

125 Selected Games
13Rdl QXe2
14NXe2 Nxe5
15NXe5 Bxe5
16 Bb6 Re8
17Rd2
As a result of the simplification, an ending
has been reached where White's chances are
slightly preferable, thanks to his better
development and Q-side pawn majority.
Black has to defend carefully and accurately.
17 ... Nc6
18 Nf4 Bf5
19 Rel Bg7
19 ... f6 deserved consideration,
maintaining the bishop in its active position. There
could then have followed 20 Redl Rad8
21 Nd5 Kf7 22 a3 e6 23 Nb4, when White
retains the initiative.
20BXg7 Kxg7
21 a3 g5
Black does not yet sense the danger, and
chooses an ineffective method of defence.
He should have tried 21 ... Rad8, so as after
22 BXc6 bXc6 23 Rxd8 RXd8 24 RXe7 g5
to gain counter-play at the cost of a pawn.
22 Nd5 Red8
23 Redl Bg4
24 f3 Be6
25 b4
White consistently carries out the plan of a
Q-side pawn offensive. The tempting 25 Nc7
gains no advantage after 25 ... Bb3! 26 NX
a8 Bxdl, equalizing.
25 ... h6
Black fortifies his position. On 25 ... Rd7
he was afraid of 26 Nf4 Rxd2 27 NXe6 +
fXe6 28Rxd2etc.
26 Kf2 Rd7
Now 27 Nf4 no longer works, in view of
27 ... Rxd2+.
27 Nc3 RXd2+
28 RXd2 Rd8
Hoping to relieve his position by exchanges.
28 ... a5 was not good in view of 29 b5 Ne5
30 f4 Nc4 31 Rd4, with the double threat of
f4-f5 and Bxb7.
29 RXd8 Nxd8
30 f 4
This move opens the diagonal for the
white bishop, and establishes control over
the central square e5. In spite of the limited
material, White's advantage begins to assume
real proportions. The black king cannot reach
the main scene of events in time.
30 ... gXf4
31 gXf4 Bb3
32 Ke3 Kf6
33 b5
It now turns out that 30 ... Ke6 is refuted
by31c6Kd6(or 31... bXc6 32bXc6Kd6 33
Nb5+and 37 c7) 35 b6! NXc6 36 BXc6,
when White wins.

Games 38 & 39
Black's next move also proves inadequate.
33 ...
34Ne4+
35 c6!
e5
Ke6
This pawn break-through, based on a little
combination, is the logical culmination of
White's active play on the Q-side.
35 ...
36Kxf4
better is 36 ..
37Nc5+
38NXb3
39 h4
40BXc6
41 Kg4!
exf4+
bxc6
. Ke7 37 Nc5.
Kd6
cXbS
Nc6
KXc6
The best plan for realizing White's
advantage. He threatens to attack the h-pawn with
his king, leaving his knight to cope with the
opposing passed pawns.
41 ... b4
42 axb4 Kb5
43 Nd4+ Resigns
On 43 ... KXb4 there follows 44 Nc6 +
and 45 NXa7.
No. 39 King's Indian Attack
Smyslov-Botrinnik
22nd USSR Championship, Moscow, 1955
lNf3
2g3
3Bg2
40-0
5d3
6e4
Nf6
g6
Bg7
c5
0-0
Nc6
This opening set-up resembles the Closed
Variation of the Sicilian Defence, the only
difference being that White has not
developed his knight at c3. White prefers to
avoid the well-trodden paths in favour of
continuations which have been less well
studied.
7NM2
8a4
d6
White is aiming for active play on the Q-
side, and to this end he provides his knight
with a good square at c4. Black's plan involves
preparing ... f5, and the play soon becomes
very sharp.
8 ...
9Nc4
10 c3
11 M!
Ne8
e5
f5
The pawn chains have gone into action,
and a lively battle has flared up over the entire
board. Now on 11 ... f4 there could have
followed 12 bXc5 dXc5 (or 12 ... g5 13
cxd6 g4 14 Nh4 f3 15 Bhl Be6 16 Nf5, with
great complications) 13 gXf4 eXf4 14 Ba3
b6 15 d4, when White acquires a mobile
centre.
11...
12cXb4
13dxe4
cXb4
fXe4
Be6
Now Black is really threatening the b4
pawn, which could not be taken immediately
because of 14 Qb3.
14Ne3
15Rbl
NXb4
a5
on

125 Selected Games
The alternative was 15 ... Na6, when
White's best reply is 16 Nd5 (16 Rxb7
Nc5 17 Rb4 a5 18 Rbl NXe4 favours Black)
16 ... Nc5 17 Ng5 Bd7 18 Be3, for example:
a) 18 ... Bxa4 19 Qd2 Bc6 (not 19 ...
Qd7 20 Bh3) 20 BXc5 dxc5 21 Ne6 Qd6
22 Nxf8 BXf8 23 Qa2, with the threat of
24 Nb6+, and if 23 ... BXd5, then 24
eXd5 b6 25 Qa6, with a good game.
b) 18 ... b6 19 Nc3 Bc6 20 BXc5 QXg5
21 BXd6, and 21 ... Rd8 is no danger in
viewof22Qb3+.
These variations show that White's initiative
compensates for the sacrificed pawn.
16 Ba3 Nc7
If 16 ... Qb6, then 17 Ng5, but to be
considered was 16 ... Bh6 17 BXb4 aXb4 18
Nd5 (or 18 RXb4BXe319fXe3 Qe7) 18 ...
Nc7 19 RXb4 NXd5 20 eXd5 Bc8, when
Black's position is perfectly sound.
17BXM axb4
18 RXb4 Bh6
Stopping half-way like this is no good.
Black would have done better to bring his
knight into play by 18 ... Na6 19 RXb7 Nc5
20 Rb4 Qa5 21 Qbl Bh6 22 Nc4 Qa6 23 Nb6
Rab8, when he can still put up a stubborn
defence.
19 Rb6!
Stronger than the immediate capture on
b7. If now 19 ... Ra6, then 20 Rxb7, and
the black knight has been deprived of the a6
square.
19 ... BXe3
20fXe3 Bc4
21 Rxd6 Qe8
22 Rel Rf7
Reinforcing his defences. On 22 ... QXa4
there would have followed 23 QXa4 RXa4
24 NXe5 Nb5 (or 24 ... b5 25 Rc6) 25 Rb6
Nc3 26 NXc4 RXc4 27 e5, with good
prospects for White. If 22 ... Rxa4,then 23 Rd7
Ral 24Qxal Qxd725 NXe5 Qe626 Rcl b5
27 Nxc4 bXc4 28 Qd4, when Black loses
another pawn.
23 Ng5 Re7
24Bfl!
The correct solution, since with the
exchange of bishops the black king's position is
seriously weakened. Now 24 ... QXa4 is bad
because of 25 Rd8+ Kg7 26 RXa8, while on
24 ... Ba2 there would have followed 25 Re2,
when 25 ... QXa4 is again unfavourable
because of 26 QXa4 RXa4 27 RXa2 RXa2
28Bc4+.
24... Bxfl
25 Rxfl QXa4
If 25 ... h6, then 26 RfT6!, with a strong
attack, for example:
a) 26 ... hXg5 27 RXg6+ Kh8 (or
27 ... Rg7 28 RXg7+ KXg7 29 M7+)
91

Games 39, 40 & 41
28 Rh6+ Kg8 (28 ... Kg7 29 Qg4) 29
Rdg6+ Rg7 30 Qh5 etc.
b) 26 ... Kg7 27 RXg6+ QXg6 28
RXg6+KXg6 29Qd6 + .
c) 26 ... Rg7 27 Qb3+ Kh8 28 Nf7+
Kh7 29 h4 QXa4 30 QXa4 RXa4 31 h5
gXh5 32 Rd7, and White wins a piece.
26Rd8+ Re8
Qc4
Or 26 ... Kg7 27 Qd6.
27Qf3
28Rd7
On 28 ... Rf8 there could have followed
29RXc7QXc730Qxf8+Rxf831RXf8+
Kxf8 32 Ne6+ and 33 NXc7.
No. 40 Ruy Lopez
Smyslov-Ducksteln
Zagreb, 1955
le4 e5
2ND Nc6
3 Bb5 Nf6
40-0 Bc5
5d3
White avoids the usual theoretical
continuations 5 NXe5 or 5 c3, preferring a
manoeuvring game.
5 ... d6
6Nc3 0-0
7Bg5
The game has gone into something like a
Four Knights, with the slight difference that
Black's bishop is at c5.
7... h6
8Bb4 Bg4
9Bxc6 bxc6
10 h3 BXI3
A sensible decision, since 10 ... Be6 11
d4 Bb4 12 Qd3 gives White the better game,
while 10 ... Bh5 11 g4 Bg6 12 Qe2 would
have left the black bishop out of play for a
long time.
11 Qxf3
12Bg3
13Na4
14NXb6
15 d4!
g5
Nh7
Bb6
axb6
A sharp" attempt to widen the bishop's
scope at the cost of a pawn. Now it would
have been more cautious for Black to play
15 ... f6, but he decides to accept the
challenge.
15... eXd4
16 Qd3 f5
When accepting the sacrifice, Black should
have thought of playing 16 ... c5. Then 17
f4 Re8 18 Rael leads to a complicated
position with chances for both sides, 18 ...
RXa2 being dangerous in view of 19 fXg5
NXg5 20 h4 Ne6 21 e5, with an attack.
17 exf5 Ra5
18 QXd4 Qd7
19 Qc4+ Kg7
20 b4 Raxf5
21 a4!
92

125 Selected Games
The game has clearly swung in White's
favour. He now plans to create a passed pawn
on the a-file, so as to divert the opposing
pieces to the Q-side and meanwhile to exploit
the exposed position of the black king. Play on
both flanks is a typical strategic device for
developing the initiative in positions of this type.
21 ...
22 aS
23bxa5
24Qa4
25 a6
26Rfel
Nf6
bxa5
Rc5
Ra8
Qf5
Kf8
If 26
or 27 .
. Nd5, then 27 Qd4+ Qf6 28 Be5!
Kg8 28 c4, and after the enforced
retreat of the knight, White's rook penetrates
onto the seventh rank.
27 c4!
Taking the b5 square away from the rook.
Now White threatens to transfer his queen to
b7, against which Black has no satisfactory
defence.
27...
28QM
29Bxd6 + !
30Qxb6
Nd7
Nb6
cxd6
Resigns
No. 41 Griinfeld Defence
Bisguier-Smyslov
Match USSR-USA, Moscow 1955
ld4
2c4
d5
c6
3 NO
4e3
Nf6
g6
This system of play is known to theory
under the name of the Schlechter Defence.
In contrast to the opening variations with
... e6, Black leaves clear the exit for his
queen's bishop.
5Nc3
6Bd3
70-0
Bg7
0-0
Bg4
The development of the bishop at f5 has
also been tried, but after 8 Bxf5 gxf5 9
cxd5 cxd5 10 Qb3 b6 Black's pawn
formation is weakened.
8h3
9QXO
BXf3
e6
This move fully corresponds to the
demands of the position. By strengthening his
central pawns, Black aims to keep the game
closed. 9 ... dxc410 BXc4 Nbd7 11 Rdl e5
was unfavourable on account of 12 d5, when
White's chances are better.
10 Rdl
11 e4
Nbd7
Bisguier was evidently insufficiently
familiar with this opening variation, for here
he commits an inaccuracy. He should have
avoided this premature opening of the centre,
and played 11 b3.
11
e5!
93

Games 41 & 42
Here is the refutation! This central counter
opens up splendid possibilities for Black.
A game of mine with Simagin (Chigorin
Memorial Tournament, 1951) continued 12
eXd5 eXd4 13 Ne4 Ne5 14 Nxf6+ Bxf6,
with the better chances for Black.
12 dxe5 NXe5
13 Qe2 d4
14 Bc2 Nfd7!
Again attacking the knight. The d-pawn is
indirectly defended, since on 15 Rxd4 there
follows 15 ... Nf3+.
15 Na4 Qa5
16Bd2
If 16 f4, then 16 ... d3 17 Bxd3 QXa4
18 fxe5 NXe5. After the retreat of the black
queen, White wants to reply 17 b3, so as to
then transfer his knight via b2 to d3. But this
intention is not destined to be fulfilled.
16 ... d3!
A spectacular manoeuvre. The passed
pawn proves to be immune, on account of
17 QXd3 QXa4!. In the event of 17 Qe3
Black can reply 17 ... Qa6 18 Bb3 b5 19
cXb5 cXb5 20 Nc3 (or 20 Nc5 NXc5 21
QXc5 Rac8 22 Qe3 Nc4 23 BXc4 bXc4 24
Bc3 BXc3 25 bXc3 Qa3) 20 ... Nb6, with
the threat of ... Nc4.
17 Bxa5 dxe2
18 Rel NXc4
19 Bc3 b5
20Bb3!
White is unable to regain the lost material,
but Bisguier does not lose his presence of
mind, and puts up a tenacious resistance.
20... BXc3
21NXc3
Or 21 bXc3 Nd2 22 Nb2 NXe4 etc.
21... NXb2
22 RXe2 Nd3
23 Rdl N7c5
24Red2 Nb4
25 f4 a5
The only open file has been firmly occupied
by the white rooks. Black therefore begins an
offensive on that part of the board where
he has a pawn majority.
26 e5 a4
27Bc2 a3!
The swift advance of Black's pawn has
increased the scope of his pieces on the Q-
side. If 28 Bbl, then 28 ... Na4 29 Ne4 Nd5
30 Rcl b4! 31 Rxc6 Nac3 32 NXc3 NXc3
33 Bd3 Rfd8, and White's position becomes
critical.
28Be4 Na4
29 Rcl Rfd8!
This seizure of the open file settles the
outcome of the game. The end is close.
30RXd8+ RXd8
31NXa4 bXa4
32 Rc3 Rd2
33 BXc6
94

125 Selected Games
Or 33 RXa3 RXa2, and the passed a-pawn
ensures an easy win.
14Qh3
g6
34BXa4
35Kh2
36 c6
White resigns.
RXa2
Ral+
a2
fXe6
No. 42 Nimzo-Indian Defence
SmysloT-Bisguier
Match USSR-USA, Moscow 1955
ld4
2c4
3Nc3
4e3
5Bd3
6Nf3
Nf6
e6
Bb4
0-0
d5
b6
A reasonable plan of development. At one
time the variation 6 ... c5 7 0-0 Nc6 was
highly popular, and was thoroughly studied.
The move in the game is also not new, but it
has the virtue of occurring more rarely in
practice.
70-0
8cXd5
Bb7
eXd5
8 ... NXd5 can be met by 9 Qc2 h6 10 e4,
obtaining a pawn centre.
9Bd2
lORcl
HNe5
12 f4
NM7
a6
Bd6
White has a clear line of play. Having
reinforced his knight in the centre, he plans
an attack on the K-side. Black's chances lie
in counter-play on the opposite wing.
c5
b5
12 ...
13Qf3
Of course, not 13 ... c4 14 BXc4.
II
*fl
■lll^iBl
15 NXd7
A concrete solution to the problem. White
exchanges his strong knight for the sake of a
direct attack on the opposing king position.
Now on 15 ... Qxd7 there can follow 16
dXc5 Qxh3 17 gXh3 BXc5 18 Nxb5
aXb5 (or 18 ... BXe3+ 19 Bxe3 aXb5 20
Rc7 Ba6 21 fi, with a strong offensive) 19
RXc5 RXa2 20 Bc3 Ne4 21 BXe4 dXe4
22 Rf2, and White has the better chances in
the ending.
15... Nxd7
16 f5 Be7
16 ... c4 fails to 17 fXg6 hXg6 18 BXg6
fXg6 19 Qe6+ Kg7 20 Qxd6.
17fXg6 hXg6
18dxc5 Nxc5
19 Bbl Nd7?
In a sharp position every tempo is especially
precious. Better was 19 ... b4 20 Ne2 Ne4
21 Bel Rc8 22 Rdl Qb6 23 Nd4 a5 24 Bh4,
with chances for both sides.
20Ne2 b4
21 Nd4 Nf6
Not 21 ... Ne5 because of 22 Ne6! fXe6
23QXe6+.
Black reverts to the correct idea—that of
transferring the knight to e4, but with a delay
of two tempi. This factor allows White to
gain "a decisive advantage.
22 Nf5!
95

Games 42 & 43
The start of a forcing manoeuvre, involving
the threat of 23 NXe7 QXe7 24 Qh4. The
knight cannot be taken (22 ... gXfS)
because of 23 RXf5 Ne4 24 BXe4 dXe4 25
Qg4+.
22 ...
23 BXe4
24Qg3!
Ne4
dxe4
Threatening to penetrate with the rook
onto the seventh rank: 25 NXe7+ QXe7
26 Rc7. Since 24 ... QXd2 25 NXe7+
Kg7 26 Rc7 leads to a rapid finish, Black's
reply is practically forced.
24...
25Rcdl!
Rc8
Qe8
25 ... Qc7 fails to 26 QXc7 Rxc7 25
NXe7+ RXe7 28BXb4.
26Nd6
27 QXd6
Bxd6
Now White's intention is revealed. Black
loses a pawn, since 27 ... a5 is met by 28
Qb6. However, the main unpleasantness for
Black is not so much the loss of a pawn, but
rather the fact that White's bishop emerges
onto the weakened al-h8 diagonal.
27 ...
28aXb3
29 QM
30Bc3
b3
Qe6
Bc6
The bishop has taken up a splendid
attacking position, whereas its opposite number is
blocked in by its own pawn at e4. In this
instance the presence of opposite-coloured
bishops merely emphasizes White's
superiority-
30 ...
31 Rxd8
32Qb6
33 h3
34 Qb4
to answer 34 .
34...
35Bd4
36Rcl
37Qc5
38Qg5
Rcd8
RXd8
Qc8
Rd5
. Qb7 with 35 Qa3
Qe8
Bb5
Rd8
Bd7
Resigns.
38 ... Rc8 is decisively met by 39 Rfl
followed by 40 Qh6 or 40 Qf6.
No. 43 Catalan Opening
Golombek-SmysloT
Ale/chine Memorial Tournament,
ld4
2c4
3g3
4Nf3
Moscow 1956
Nf6
e6
c5
96

125 Selected Games
White retains his options over how to
develop, and avoids being diverted into the
problematic variations with 4 d5.
4 ... cxd4
5Nxd4 d5
6Bg2 e5
7 Nf 3 d4
This continuation leads to interesting and
sharp play. Black has set up a mobile pawn
centre, which cramps his opponent's position.
The question is whether or not White can
undermine the pawn wedge, and disclose the
drawbacks to Black's active plan.
Of course, 8 NXe5 loses to 8 ... Qa5+.
8 0-0 Nc6
9e3
The most logical plan, whereby White
attempts to isolate the black d-pawn. 9 b4 is
unsuccessful after 9 ... e4 10 Ng5 Bxb4
11 NXe4 Nxe4 12 Bxe4 Bh3, when Black
has the initiative.
9 ... Be7
10exd4 exd4
11NM2
It is fairly obvious that White's intention
is to win the passed pawn, but this proves
to be no simple matter. To be considered was
11 b3 0-0 12 Bb2 Bc5 13 a3 a5 14 b4 axb4
15 axb4 RXal 16 BXal Nxb4 17 Bxd4,
with considerable simplification.
11 ... 0-0
12 Nb3 d3
There is no choice: the pawn must advance.
The subsequent events in the game revolve
around this passed pawn, which hinders the
freedom of movement of the white pieces.
13 Be3 Bg4
14 h3 Bh5
15 Rcl Ne4!
Here the knight occupies a strong position,
and prevents the white rook from moving
to c3.
16 g4
White is beginning to experience certain
difficulties. In breaking the unpleasant pin,
he weakens the pawn formation in front of
his king.
16 Nbd2 was no better, on account of
16 ... NXd2 17 QXd2 Bb4 18 Qdl d2
19 Ral Qf6 20 g4 Bg6 21 BXd2 Rad8 22
Qcl Bxd2 23 NXd2 Nd4, when Black's
activity becomes threatening.
16 ... Bg6
17 Nfd2 Nxd2
18Bxd2 a5!
A highly important manoeuvre, the point
of which is revealed in the variation 19 Bc3
a4 20 Nd2 Nd4. Now the threat of 21 ...
Ne2+ forces 22 BXd4 Qxd4, after which
Black's superiority becomes undisputed.
White cannot allow the enemy knight in at
d4, and is therefore forced to weaken his
position on the Q-side.
19 a4 f5!
The offensive develops over the whole
board. If Black should succeed in advancing
... f4, White will be completely cramped.
20 f4 Bf6
21 Bc3 Bxc3
22 RXc3 Nb4
97

Games 43 & 44
Now the outpost at d3 is securely defended.
For all his efforts, White is unable to get rid
of the tenacious pawn. 23 BXb7 fails to
23 ... Qb6+.
23 c5
24 g5
25Khl
Rb8
Re8
Bf7
Black has made very significant spatial
gains. His pieces can transfer freely to better
positions, whereas White is being left with
fewer and fewer useful moves. If 26 Rel, then
26 ... Qc7 27 RXe8+ RXe8, and it is
difficult for White to find a defence.
26Nd2
Nc2!
The knight comes very strongly into the
attack. The threat is 27 ... Ne3.
27Qcl
28 RH
Ne3
Qd4
With the new threat of 29 ... Nd5. There
is no longer any satisfactory defence.
29Nb3
30RXb3
31RXg2
I fails to 31
31 ...
32Kh2
33Kgl
White resigns.
BXb3
NXg2
. Qd5 + .
Re3
QXf44
Rbe8
No. 44 Nimzo-Indian Defence
Szabo-nSmyslov
Alekhine Memorial Tournament, Moscow 1956
1 c4 Nf6
2d4 e6
3Nc3 Bb4
4e3 0-0
5Bd3 c5
6a3
This move, against which I have frequently
had to play as Black, leads to interesting
play. The choice by Szabo of this sharp
opening variation did not surprise me.
It showed that the Hungarian grandmaster
was in a fighting mood.
6... BXc3+
7 bXc3 Nc6
8 e4
mtmxmmt
mmJm
1. »A» JH_.....
rf%. *-J .ZfiwB?
But this was a surprise!
Instead of the usual 8 Ne2, Szabo had
prepared an active continuation involving
the sacrifice of a pawn. This variation had
occurred earlier in a secondary tournament,
but was unfamiliar to me. It is well known
that, apart from being a theoretical
revelation, each innovation also has a
psychological effect.
In a tournament game it is not easy to go
in for a variation which may have been
studied to the last detail by the opponent
beforehand. After lengthy consideration I
nevertheless decided to take the offered pawn.
98

125 Selected Games
8 ...
9cXd4
10 e5
HKfl
cXd4
Nxd4
Qa5+
The king has to move, otherwise the e5
pawn is lost with check. But now 11 ...
QXe5 fails to 12 Bb2, when the knight at
d4 is 'hanging'.
11 ... Ne8
12 Bd2 Qd8
13 BW d6
14Bxh7+ KXh7
15 Qxd4 a5!
As a result of a lively battle a position has
been reached in which it is now Black who
sacrifices a pawn. He hopes to gain sufficient
counter-play after 16 Bxd6 Nxd6 17 Rdl
(or 17 eXd6 Qf6 18 N/3 Qxd4 19 Nxd4
Rd8 20 c5 b6\)l7 ... Bd7. Thanks to his
superior development, Black's position is
perfectly satisfactory. For example: 18 Qxd6
Ba4 19 Rd2 Qc8 20 Qd3+ Kg8 21 NO b5!,
or 18 eXd6 Qf6 19 Nf3 Qxd4 20 Rxd4 f6
21 Ke2 e5 22 Rd2 Rfc8 23 Rcl Rc5, and the
white pawns are blockaded.
16Bc3?
White overrates his chances. He should
have played 16 Bxd6, since now the initiative
passes to Black.
16 ... f6!
A very strong manoeuvre! After 17 exf6
the f-file is opened to Black's advantage.
For example: 17 exf6 Nxf6 18 Rdl Qc7
19 Nf3 e5 20 Qxd6 QXc4+ 21 Qd3+ (or
21 Kgl Bg4) 21 ... Qxd3 22 RXd3 e4 23
Ng5+ Kg6 24 Rg3 Nh5, and White loses the
exchange.
The lesser evil here was 17 eXd6, although
after 17 ... QXd6 Black has the better game.
17Qh4+
18 Rdl
19Rd3
Kg8
Qc7
This attack is ineffective, since Black's king
easily shelters behind his barrier of pawns.
But after 19 exf6 Nxf6 20 Nf3 e5 (21 Ng5
Bg4) things were again not easy for White.
19 ...
20Rh3
21Nf3
22Nd2
dxe5
b6
Ba6
Rc8
w Mfay Jam
■Bi
Now the c4 pawn is bound to fall, and
with it White's Q-side collapses.
23 Qh7+
24 g4
A belated attack.
24...
25Kei
26 g5
27Qc2
28 Rgl
29Nbl
30g6+
Kf7
BXC4+
Qd6
Qxa3
Bd5
Qal +
Qa2

Games 44 & 45
If 30 Qh7, then 30 ... e4. From inertia
White continues his hopeless resistance.
30 ...
31Qcl
32Rh7
33Rg3
34Rd3
35Rd2
36Rc2
Ke7
Nd6
Nf5
b5
b4
Qc4
Qe4+
No. 45 Ruy Lopez
Ivkov-Smyslov
Match Yugoslavia-USSR, Belgrade, 1956
le4 e5
2 Nf 3 Nc6
3Bb5 a6
4Ba4 d6
5 BXc6+
This exchange, which ensures White an
easy development, is recommended by many
opening guides. However, I prefer the system
with 5 c3 and 6 d4, in which the white-
squared bishop is retained.
5 ... bXc6
6d4 f6
A logical reply. Black's central pawn
formation becomes very solid, and his slight
lack of development can hardly be exploited
in the absence of the opponent's white-
squared bishop. The alternative, 6 ... exd4
7 NXd4 c5, gives White the better chances.
7 Be3 Ne7
8 Nc3 Ng6
9Qd2 Be7
10 0-0-0 Be6
11 h4 h5
By establishing control over g5, White
aims for a K-side initiative, but, as the present
game shows, this plan is unsuccessful, since
Black's threats on the b-file prove more real.
12 d5 is not dangerous for Black, in view of
12 ... cXd5 13 NXd5 Qb8 14 c4 Qb7, with
sufficient counter-play.
12 ... fXe5
13Ng5
13 Bg5 looks tempting, with the idea of
exchanging the black-squared bishops and
obtaining g5 for the knight, but Black could
have replied 13 ... Bf6, and if 14 BXf6,
then 14 ... gXf6!
13... Bxg5
14BXg5
Or 14 hXg5 Qb8 15 f3 h4, preventing the
advance of the white pawns (g2-g3 and
14 ... Qb8
Black's counter-attack involves playing his
queen to the b-file. White's king on the Q-side
proves to be more vulnerable than Black's
in the centre, and it is not easy for White to
devise a sensible plan. 15 g3 is bad because
of 15 ... Bg4 followed by ... Bf3,
blockading the white pawns, but to be considered
was 15 f4 eXf4 16 Bxf4 0-0 17 Bg3.
White resigns. 12 dXe5
inn

125 Selected Games
In the present game Ivkov fails to find an
expedient arrangement of his pieces, and
as a result White ends up in a lost position,
without having made any serious mistake.
15 b3
16 f3
17Na4
18Kb2
Qb4
a5
c5
0-0
ilmli
W& &. 'M
$ 181 & Wk HI ft
« vplnifv.
19QXM
25 ...
c3+!
This is stronger than 25 ... cXb3 26 a3,
when White can organize a defence.
Now on 26 Kbl there follows 26 ... c2+,
so therefore White is forced to capture the
pawn and allow the black rook onto his
second rank.
26KXc3
27Rbl
28Rhfl
29 f4
RXa2
RXg2
Ra2
White exchanges queens, so as to reduce
Black's attacking chances, but the transition
into the endgame fails to bring the desired
relief.
19...
20 c3
21cXb4
22Nc3
23Nd5
aXb4
Rfb8
RXb4
c4
Rb7!
Now White has no satisfactory defence
against the threat of ... c6, for example:
24 Rcl c6 25 Ne3 d5 26 exd5 cXd5 27
Rhdl Rb5, followed by the doubling of rooks
on the a- or b-file. White decides to give up
a pawn and seek salvation in an ending with
opposite-coloured bishops.
24Ne7+
25BXe7
Nxe7
In view of the threat of 29 ... Ra3, White
has to do something. But now trouble strikes
from the other side.
29 ...
30Ral
31Rfel
Bh3!
Re2
It is essential to parry the threats of
Bxfl and ... Re3 + .
31 ...
32 RXel
33Bg5
34Be3
35Ral
RXel
exf4
f3
Kf7
c5
Black's big material advantage ensures him
an easy win. The game concluded:
36Ra6
37Ra3
38 e5
39Kd2
Be6
Rb4
Re4
RXe5

Games 45 & 46
40Ra7+
41 Re 7
White resigns.
Kg6
Kf6
under attack
sidered.
13 .
No. 46 Nimzo-lndian Defence
Geller-TSmyslov
Candidates Tournament, Amsterdam, 1956
ld4
2c4
3Nc3
4a3
Nf6
e6
Bb4
This continuation often occurs in Geller's
games. After the exchange on c3 White
obtains the two bishops and a strong pawn
centre, but the doubling of the pawns on the
c-file allows Black sufficient counter-play on
the Q-side.
4 ...
5bXc3
6e3
7Ne2
Bxc3+
c5
b6
7 Bd3 Bb7 8 f3 is usually played. By the
slight transposition of moves White wishes
to avoid the advance of his f-pawn, which
stops the queen moving out to an attacking
position.
7 ...
8Ng3
9Bd3
10 e4
Nc6
0-0
Ba6
Ne8
Accepting the pawn sacrifice by 10 ...
cXd4 11 cXd4 Nxd4 is dangerous, in view
of 12 e5 Ne8 13 Bb2 Nc6 14 Qh5, with good
attacking chances for White.
UBe3
12Qe2
13(15
Na5
Rc8
A committing decision. Wliite's centre
becomes less mobile, and can soon come
13 Rcl should have been con-
Qh4!
A strong reply. The queen hampers White's
K-side activity, and exerts indirect pressure
on the c4 pawn. 13 ... Nd6 was bad because
of 14 e5 Ndxc4 15 Qh5 g6 16 Qh6, with the
threat of 17 Nh5.
14 0-0 Nd6
OS
Awm H
The final link in the plan of surrounding
the c4 pawn. Black has avoided playing
.. .d6, so as to keep d6 free for the knight.
15 Radl f5
Of course, the attacked pawn could have
been captured, but Black prefers to restrict
the mobility of the enemy bishops. The weak
Q-side pawns will always remain an object
of concern for White.
16dXe6 dXe6
16 ... f4 was risky, in view of 17 eXd7
Rcd8 18 e5 etc.
17eXf5 eXf5
18Qf3
With the threat of 19 Qd5 + . White does
everything possible to try and equalize.
18 ... Bb7
19 Qf4 Qf6
Black avoids the exchange of queens, since
after 19 ... Qxf4 20 Bxf4 Ne4 21 f3
NXg3 22 hXg3 Ba6 23 Rfel the white rooks

125 Selected Games
are ready to invade the seventli rank, for
example: 23 ... Rf7 24 Re5 Rd8 25 Rd5 etc.
20Bbl
21Rd7
Ne4
After 21 Nxe4 fxe4 22 Qxf6 Rxf6 23
Rd7 Rf7 24 Rfdl Bc6 the ending favours
Black. The move played indicates White's
desire to complicate matters.
21
Qc6
Black has set up a menacing battery on
the hl-a8 diagonal. If now 22 Re7, then
22 ... NXc3 23 f3 Qf6 24 Rd7 Qe6, when
25 BXf5 fails to 25 ... Ne2+ 26 NXe2
RXf5.
The following exchange sacrifice is perhaps
White's best chance in this critical position.
22Rxb7 Qxb7
23Nxf5
On 23 NXe4 there could have followed
23 ... fXe424BXe4Rxf425 BXb7 NXb7
26 BXf4 Rd8 27 Rel Na5, with a good
ending for Black.
23 ... Rce8
Not 23 ... Nxc3, in view of 24 Qh4, with
the threat of Ne7 + .
24Qg4
25Ng3
26hXg3
KM
NXg3
on
Combining defence of the king with an
attack on White's pawn weaknesses. For the
exchange White has a pawn and he also
possesses two bishops, which makes it
difficult for Black to realize his advantage.
27Qb4
28Bd3
29Qh5
h6
Qf6
Rd8
Now the bishop must abandon the bl-h7
diagonal, as otherwise the c4 pawn is lost.
30Be2
31Qh4
32Qh5
Qf5
Qf6
Nc6
The knight heads for the opposite wing,
to take a more active part in the game.
33 g4
White's only chance is to open up the black
king's position.
33 ... Qf7
34 Qh4 Ne7
35 Qh3 Ng6
36Qh2
36 g3 was somewhat better, although even
then after 36 ... Kg8 37 g5 hXg5 38 BXg5
Rde8 39 Bd3 Rel! 40 f4 Rfe8 41 Rxel
RXel+ 42 Kf2 Re8 and ... Nf8 Black
retains the advantage.
36...
37Bf3
38 g5
39 Rel
40gXh6
41Qg3
Nf4
QXc4
Rd6
Rg6
RXh6

Games 46 & 47
Here the game was adjourned, with Black
sealing his next move.
41 ...
Qe4!
A spectacular manoeuvre, threatening to
play the queen to hi. On 42 Bxe4 there
follows 42 ... Ne2+ 43 Kfl NXg3+ 44Kel
Rhl+ 45 Kd2 NXe4+, so White is forced
to simplify the position, which leads to a lost
ending.
42 QXf4 Qxf4
43 BXf4 Rxf4
44 Rel Ra4
44 ... Rhf6 would have avoided giving
the opponent any counterplay, but Black
assumed that White's initiative would not be
dangerous.
45Re8+
46Be4+
47 g4
48Re6
49Kg2
Kh7
g6
RXa3
RXc3
If 49 g5, then 49 ... Rh4 50 BXg6+ Kg7
51 Bf5 Rf4. White tries to strengthen the
threat of g4-g5.
49 ...
50 f3
51 g5
52 Bxg6+
53Kg3
54Be8
b5
b4
Rh4
Kg7
Rd4
Or 54 Bh5 Rd7, preventing the perpetual
check. On 54 Bf5 there could have followed
54 ... Rd5 55 Kg4 Rxf5 56 KXf5 RXf3+
57 Ke4 Rf7 58 Kd5 b3 59 Kxc5 b2 60 Rel
Rc7+ and 61 ... Rel.
94 • • *
55 g6
White lost on time.
b3
Rd8
On 56 Re7+ there would have followed
56 ... Kf6 57g7RXe8!
No. 47 Sicilian Defence
Smystov-Panno
Candidates Tournament,
le4
2Nf3
3d4
4Nxd4
5Nc3
6Be2
Amsterdam, 1956
c5
d6
cXd4
Nf6
a6
A positional plan, leading to quieter play
than the more committing 6 Bg5.
6 ...
7Nb3
80-0
9Be3
e5
Be7
0-4)
Be6
9 ... Qc7 is also played, for the moment
avoiding determining the position of the
queen's bishop.
10 f4 eXf4
10 ... Qc7 could have been met by 11 f5
Bc4 12 a4, and after the exchange of white-
squared bishops the weakness of d5 becomes
perceptible.
11 Bxf4
12Khl
Nc6
A useful move. Now 12 ... d5 can be
answered by 13 e5 Ne4 14 Bd3 NXc3 15
bXc3, with attacking chances on the K-side.
12...
13Qd2
14Be3
15Nd4
Qb6
Rac8
Qc7
Nxd4
Not wishing to allow Nf5, Black exchanges
knights.
16 Bxd4 Nd7
17 Radl Ne5
18Qe3
IftA

125 Selected Games
18 ... b5
19Qg3 b4
This activity by Black is premature, since
the advance of the pawn weakens his position
on the Q-side. He should have considered
... Rfe8 followed by ... Bf8, with a sound
position.
20 Nd5 Bxd5
21 eXd5 g6
If 21 ... QXc2, then 22 BXa6 Ra8 23
Bd3 Qc7 24 Bbl, or 21 ... a5 22 c3 bXc3
23 BXc3, and White's chances are better.
22 BXa6 Ra8
23Bb5 Ra5
Better than 23 ... Rxa2 24 Qb3 Ra5 25
QXb4 Rb8 26 c4, when White keeps his
extra pawn.
24 Bc6 NXc6
25dXc6 QXc6
26 c3
The position favours White, who has good
attacking chances, thanks to the centralized
position of his bishop.
26 ... Rg5
Black seeks counter-play,but he soon proves
unable to combat the passed pawns on the
Q-side. He should have tried 26 ... bXc3
27 BXc3 Rxa2, when White could either
have gone into a better ending by 28 Qe3 Bd8
29 Qd4 f6 30 QXd6, or played for an attack
by 28 Rfel Ra7 29 Qf2 Qd7 30 Qd4 f6 31
Qd5+ Kg7 32Re6.
27 Qf2 Qa6
28 Qe3 Qb7
29 Rf2 Rg4
30cXb4 QXb4
31 Bc3 Qa4
If 31 ... Qe4, then 32 Qh6 f6 33 Rel Qb7
34 Qe3 Rf7 35 h3 Rg5 36 a4, and White
combines threats on the K-side with the
advance of his passed pawns on the Q-side.
32 b3 Qc6
32 ... Qd7 would have been too passive.
33 QXe7
The simplest solution: White wins a pawn,
and in the heavy piece ending his connected
a- and b-pawns assure him of a win.
33 ... QXc3
34QX46 h5
35 h3 Rg3
36Kh2 h4

Games 47 & 48
It was better to move the rook, since the
advance of the pawns merely weakens the
black king's screen.
37 Qf4 g5
38 Qf5 Qc7
39Khl
Avoiding the trap 39 Rd7? Rxh3 + + !
39 ...
40Rd7
41Kh2
Qc8
Qcl +
Resigns.
No. 48 English Opening
Smyslov-Bronstein
Candidates Tournament, Amsterdam 1956
lc4
2Nf3
3g3
4Bg2
Nf6
c5
d5
Nc6
On 4 ... d4 there could have followed 5 e3
Nc6 6 eXd4 cXd4 7 d3, transposing into a
Modern Benoni with colours reversed.
5cXd5 Nxd5
6 Nc3 Nf6
Better studied positions result after 6 ...
Nc7 followed by ... e7-e5.
This game, which was played at the finish
of the tournament, was of decisive importance
in the battle for first place, and the players
were aiming for a complicated struggle from
the very start.
7 0-0 e6
8b3 Be7
9Bb2 0-0
10 Rcl Qa5
HNa4
From the opening White has obtained the
better development, and can begin active play
on the Q-side by attacking the c5 pawn. Black
experiences difficulties over how to bring his
bishop at c8 into play.
11...
12Qc2
13Qbl
Rd8
Nb4
Nfd5
Black had to reckon with the threat of 14
Ng5.
14 a3
Na6
Black combines this over-protection of his
c5 pawn with the idea of developing his
bishop at d7.
15 e4
16Bc3
17Rfdl
Nf6
Qb5
White consistently improves the
positioning of his pieces. Now 17 ... Bd7 is bad in
view of 18 Ne5, with the threat of 19 Bfl.
17
c4
An ingenious defence. Black sacrifices the
pawn that has been causing him trouble, and
obtains counter-play.
The retreat of the queen to e8 would have
been too passive.
18 Bxf6
19RXc4
20 e5!
Bxf6
Qa5
An energetic reply, by which White avoids
conceding the initiative. On 20 ... Bxe5
there can follow 21 NXe5 QXe5 22 RXc8
Raxc8 23 BXb7, with advantage to White.
1ftA

125 Selected Games
20...
21Nc3
Be7
Bd7
On 21 ... Bxa3 there follows 22 Ra4 Qc5
23 Ne4 Qe7 24 Nfg5 with a very strong
attack.
If instead 21 ... Qxa3, then 22 Ne4 Qa5
23 Neg5 g6 24 Rh4 Bxg5 25 Nxg5 Qxe5
26 NXH! KXf7 27 Rxh7+ Kf6 28 Rel,
and Black has no defence.
22 b4
By returning the pawn, White retains the
initiative. After 22 a4 Rac8 Black would have
gained fair chances of counter-play on the
Q-side.
22 ...
23 b5
24Ng5
25Qxb4
QXa3
Nb4
BxgS
The phase of tactical complications is over.
White transposes into a better ending: he has
a spatial advantage, and his bishop is strongly
placed on the hl-a8 diagonal.
25...
26RXM
27 d4
28Rb3
QXb4
Be8
Rac8
b6
Black removes his pawn from attack. He is
unable to prevent the advance of the d-pawn.
29 d5
30Nxd5
31Ral
exd5
Kf8
Bd2
Up to this point Black has defended very
accurately, but here he commits an inaccuracy.
More circumspect was 31 ... Rcl+ 32RXcl
BXcl, retaining a defensible position.
32 e6!
A strong tactical blow. A fork at e7 is
threatened, and 32 ... fxe6 is met by the
crushing 33 Rf3+ Bf7 34 Rxa7. On 32 ...
Rd6 there can follow 33 e7+ Kg8 34 Rd3
Ba5 35 Nf6+ Rxf6 36 Rd8, when White
wins.
32 ...
33 h4
Bg5
The situation has changed sharply, and Black
comes under a series of blows.
33
fXe6
33 ... Bf6 was hardly any better. White
could have continued 34 Rxa7 fxe6 35
NXf6 gXf6 36 RXh7, and if 36 ... Rc5,
then 37 Bc6 Bxc6 38 bXc6 Rxc6 39 Ra3,
transferring a second rook onto the seventh
rank.
34Rf3+ Kg8
35Bh3 Bd7
35 ... Bf7 is unsatisfactory, in view of the
simple 36 RXa7.
36Rxa7
37RXd7
exd5
Bf6
After 37 ... Rxd7 38 Bxd7 Rcl+ 39
Kg2 Bf6 40 Be6 + Kf8 41 B X d5 White has an
extra pawn.
38Be6+ Kf8
39 Rf7+ Ke8
40Rb7 Rcl +
It should perhaps be mentioned that the
last few moves were made in a severe time
scramble. Black has succeeded in maintaining
the material balance, but the unfortunate
position of his king allows White to gain a
decisive positional advantage.
107

Games 48, 49 & SO
40 ... Rb8 deserved consideration,
agreeing to the loss of his d5 pawn.
41 Kg2 Rd6
42 Bf5 g6
If 42 ... h6, then 43 Re3+ Kf8 (43 ...
KdS 44 Rb8+) 44 Rb8+ Bd8 45 Bg6 RXg6
(45 ...Kf746h5)46 Rxd8+ Kf747 Rd7+
and 48 RXd5, with an extra pawn in the
rook ending.
43Bd3
It is now clear that, despite the material
equality, things are bad for Black, since his
b6 and h7 pawns are weak, and he is bound to
lose material.
43...
44Re3
45RXb6
46Rf3
47Ra6
48Ra8
Be7
Rd7
d4
Bd6
Ke7
Bc5
The white rooks are tremendously active,
and it is difficult to recommend anything
better for Black. On 48 ... Rd8 White wins
by 49 Ra7+ Rc7 50 b6 RXa7 51 bXa7
Ra8 52 Bc4.
49Rh8
50Rc8
51 h5!
Kd6
Kd5
Exploiting the pin on the c-file, White
breaks up the black pawns on the K-side.
Black cannot play 51 ... gXh5 52 Rf5+
Kd6 53 Rc6+, or 51 ... Rd6 52 Rc7.
51 ...
52 hXg6
53Rc6
54RXg6
55RXd3
56Rdl
57Rcl +
Rc3
hXg6
Rb7
RXd3
Kc4
d3
Resigns.
No. 49 Griinfeld Defence
Smyslov-Botvinnik
World Championship Match, Moscow, 1957
6th Game
ld4
2c4
3Nc3
4Nf3
5Qb3
6QXc4
7e4
Nf6
g6
d5
Bg7
dxc4
0-0
Bg4
One of the most sharp and problematic
variations in modern opening theory. I have
to admit that the choice of this opening
system on the part of Botvinnik came as a
surprise to me, since up till than he had
normally preferred to play this variation as
White, whereas I had been willing to try to
vindicate the plan of piece development for
Black. Now the roles were reversed, and
I had to seek a way of countering my own
theoretical weapon.
8Be3
90-0-0
Nfd7
The most active continuation. The castling
on opposite sides leads to lively play.
9 ... Nc6
9 ... Nb6 is also played, so as first to see
where the queen will move to.
10 h3
HgXf3
BXf3
Nb6
11 ... e5 is unfavourable after 12 dXe5
NcXe5 13 Qe2, when the threat of 14 f4 gives
White the better chances.
12Qc5
13Ne2
f5
In parrying the threat of 13 ... f4, White
reinforces his pawn centre. I did not want to
108

125 Selected Games
play 13 d5 Ne5 14 Be2, since after 14 ... f4
the knight at e5 occupies a good blockading
position.
13
Qd6
14 e5
QXcSI
This exchange of queens is inopportune.
Preferable was 14 ... Qd5!, and if 15 QXd5,
then 15 ... NXd5 16 f4 e6 17 Bg2 Nce7,
while on 15 Nc3 Black could have replied
15 ... QXc5 (only not 15 ... QX/3 16 Bel
Qg2 17 Rdgl) 16 dxc5 f4! 17 cXb6 fXe3
18 fxe3 BXe5, with a roughly equal ending.
15dxc5
16 f4
Nc4
White has an undisputed advantage. The
bishop at g7 is shut out of the game, whereas
its opposite number obtains excellent
prospects at g2.
16 ...
17Bg2
18 fxe3
19 BXb7
20 c6
Rfd8
Nxe3
Nb4
Rab8
The advance of this pawn consolidates
White's spatial gains, and in conjunction
with the bishop it now constitutes a
formidable force. White threatens to play his knight
via d4 to e6 or b5, as well as to invade at d7
with his rook.
If 20 ... Nd3+, then 21 Kc2 Nc5 22
RXd8+ RXd8 23 Rdl Rb8 24 Rd7! NXd7
25 cXd7 Rd8 26 Bc8, and wins, or 20 ...
NXa2+ 21 Kbl Nb4 22 Rd7 Nd5 23 Rhdl,
with an irresistible attack.
21Nd4
22Nb5
e6
Nd5
23 RXd5!
A logical combinational blow! The
exchange sacrifice wins most quickly, since
with the loss of his c7 pawn Black's position
collapses.
23 ...
eXd5
Or 23 ... Rxd5 24 NXc7 Rc5+ 25 Kbl,
when the threat of 26 Na6 is decisive.
24NXc7
25BXC8
26Nxd5
27Kd2
28Nc3
Rdc8
RXc8
RXc6+
Ke6
Resigns.
No. 50 Sicilian Defence
Smyslov-Botvinnik
World Championship Match, Moscow 1957
12th Game
le4
2Nf3
c5
g6
20
Kf7
A surprise: in the previous games of the
match Botvinnik had played 2 ... Nc6.
109

Games 50 & 51
The move in the game is regarded as not
altogether sound, and therefore occurs
comparatively rarely in serious events. I sensed at
this point that I would have to face some
innovation on the part of Black.
3c4
A good plan of development. White wishes
to establish control over the central squares,
and then to gain space.
3 ... Bg7
4d4 d6
In the given position this is a new idea:
Black wishes to retain his pawn base in the
centre. After 4 ... cXd4 5 NXd4 Nc6 6 Be3
Nf6 7 Nc3 Ng4 8 QXg4 NXd4 9 Qdl e5
10 Bd3 it is difficult for Black to gain any
active play, as was shown by a game between
the same players in the Alekhine Memorial
Tournament, 1956.
5 Nc3 Nc6
6Be3
After 6 dXc5 dXc5 7 QXd8+ KXd8 8
Be3 Nd4 9 0-0-0 e5 Black loses the right to
castle, but on the other hand he obtains a
strong post for his knight.
6 ... Bg4
My suppositions were confirmed—Black is
prepared to sacrifice a pawn for the sake of
carrying out his opening idea. The entire
variation had no doubt been prepared
beforehand by Black, but nevertheless, after
weighing up the position, White decided to
accept the challenge.
7dXc5 dXc5
8Qxd8+ RXd8
9BXc5
A perfectly logical and consistent
continuation. What is important is not just that White
wins a pawn, but that he eliminates Black's
control over d4.
9... BXc3+
10 bxc3 Nf6
This position was possibly examined by
Botvinnik in his preparatory analysis. At
first sight Black seems to have a good game.
The pawn cannot be defended by 11 Nd2 in
view of 11 ... Rxd2 12 KXd2 Nxe4+
and 13 ... NXc5. Also, 11 Bd4 does not
promise any advantage after 11 ... NXd4
12 NXd4 NXe4 13 f3 NXc3. But there was
one subtlety that Black had failed to take
into account.
11 Nd4!
This strong reply assures White of an
advantage. The subsequent events are forced.
11 ... NXe4
12NXc6 bxc6
13 Bxa7
It is now clear that the opening battle has
concluded in White's favour. He has obtained
the two bishops and a passed pawn on the
a-file, whereas Black has no real counter-
chances.
13 ... Bf5
14 f3 Nd6
Agreeing to play on a pawn down.
14 ... NXc3 was risky in view of 15 Bb6
Rd7 16 a4, threatening after 17 g4 to win the
knight by Ba5.
15 a4 Ra8
16Bb6 0-0
110

125 Selected Games
17 c5
18 g4
19 a5
20cXb6
21Bd3
Nc8
Be6
NXb6
Rfb8
This was the position that White was
aiming for beforehand, when beginning his
pawn offensive on the Q-side. The quickest
way to win here was by 21 Kf2 RXb6 22
aXb6 RXal 23 b7 Rbl 24 Ba6 Rb2+ 25
Ke3 Kf8 26 Rdl Ke8 27 Rd4 c5 28 Rb4.
But the move in the game is also good
enough to win.
21 ...
22aXb6
23Kd2
RXb6
RXal +
Ra2+
Ofcourse,not23 ... RXhl24b7RXh2+
25 Be2, when the b-pawn queens.
24Ke3
25 Rdl
26Bc4!
27Rd8
Bc8
Rb2
Kg7
Be6
Black seeks drawing chances in a rook
ending.
On 27 ... Bb7 there would have followed
28 Rd7 Rxb6 29 RXe7 and 30 RXf7+.
28BXe6
29Rb8
fXe6
e5
Or 29 ... Kf6 30 Kd4 Rb5 31 f4, and,
thanks to his passed pawn, White must win.
30 c4
31 c5
32Rd8!
Kf7
Ke6
White frees his rook, and cuts off the black
king from the passed pawn. The aim of his
subsequent manoeuvres is to improve the
position of his own king, and then to block
the action of the enemy rook, thereby
achieving transition into a pawn ending, or else the
advance of the b-pawn.
32 ...
33 h3
34Kd2
35Kd3
36Kc4
37 Kb4
38Ka4
39Kb4
40Ka3
41Kb2
42Rd3
g5
Rbl
Rb5
Rbl
Rcl +
Rbl +
Ral+
Rbl +
Ral +
Ra5
The goal is achieved. Now the black rook is
forced to abandon its active position, and
White wins easily.
42...
43Kb3
Ra8
Ra5
Black resigns
No. 51 French Defence
Smyslov-Botvinnik
World Championship Match, Moscow, 1957
20th Game
le4
2d4
3Nc3
4e5
5a3
6bXc3
7Qg4
e6
d5
Bb4
c5
Bxc3+
Qc7
An active plan, with the queen taking up an
attacking position on the K-side. The 14th
111

Games 51 & 52
game of the match continued here 7 ... f5
8 Qg3 Ne7, but for the present game my
opponent had prepared a new variation.
7 ... f6
Hardly a very good idea, provoked most
likely by a desire to deviate from the well-
trodden paths. The usual replies here, 7 f5
or 7 ... Ne7, are at any rate no worse.
8 Nf 3 Nc6
9Qg3!
A good move, by which White reinforces
his central pawn and indirectly protects his
third rank (the square c3). Now on 9 ... f X e5
there follows 10 NXe5 NXe5 11 Bf4, while
if 9 ... cxd4, then 10 eXf6 QXg3 11 hXg3
Nxf6 12 cXd4, with the better chances for
White.
9... on
10dxc5
With two bishops, White naturally wants
to open up the game. He now obtains a
tripled, but nevertheless extra pawn. He also
gains the possibility of developing his bishop
at d3, without having to fear the blockading
advance ... c4.
10 ... Nge7
11 Bd3 fXe5
Botvinnik normally tries to clarify the
central pawn formation. After the exchanges
Black is counting on the strength of his
central pawns, but in this way he fails to equalize.
However, the alternative, 11 ... Bd7 12
Rbl 0-0-0, is also not altogether sound.
If, for example, 13 0-0 Ng6, then 14 eXf6
gXf6 15 Nd4 a6 16 BXa6 bxa6 17 NXc6
BXc6 18 Rb8+ Kd7 19 Qd6 + .
12 NXe5 NXe5
13Qxe5 0-0
14 0-0 Nc6
15 Qg3 e5
16Be3
The opening battle has gone in favour of
White, who has completed his development
and retained a material advantage. His further
plans involve exploiting the b-file or
undermining Black's pawns by f2-f4.
16 ... Bf5
17 Rabl
Here the rook occupies an excellent
position, restricting the mobility of the black
pieces by the necessity to defend the b7 pawn.
17... BXd3
Passive defence by 17 ... Rab8 is not in
Botvinnik's style, but now White's pawns are
'straightened out'.
18 cXd3 Rae8
19 f4! Qc7
Black could have attempted to complicate
matters by 19 ... e4, but after 20 dXe4
RXe4 21 f5 Rfe8 22 Bg5 Ne5 23 h3 White
threatens to build up a strong attack by
f5-f6.
20fXe5 RXfl +
21RXfl QXe5
22QXe5 NXe5
23Rdl
Thus White's task has reduced to the
prosaic exploitation of a material advantage
in the endgame. True, in order to win he still
has to overcome certain technical difficulties.
112

125 Selected Games
23...
24 h3
25Bf4
26Bd6
27Rfl +
28Rel +
29Kf2
Kf7
Nc6
Re7
Rd7
Ke6
Kf7
White has significantly improved his
position. Now the main endgame piece comes
into play—the king.
29
b6
It is difficult for Black to do anything.
By the move played he at last gets rid of his
weakness at b7, but this in turn eliminates
White's doubled pawns.
30Rbl
Ke6
31Rb5!
Playing the rook to the fifth rank is highly
eflfective: the bishop is freed from having to
defend the c5 pawn.
31
d4
The operation begun with this move merely
worsens Black's position, as he has
overlooked a small tactical point.
32 c4
33 Bb2!
bxc5
The decisive manoeuvre. Weaker is 33
BXc5 Rf7+ 34 Ke2 Rf5, when it is not easy
for White to disentangle his pieces.
33 ...
34Ke2
Rf7+
Re7
It turns out that 34 ... Rf5 fails to 35 g4
Rg5 36 Bf4 Rg6 37 Rxc5. The remainder is
now simple.
35RXc5
36Kd2
37Rg5
38Rd5+
39Bgl
40BXd4
41 RXd4
42Kc3
Kd7+
Re6
g6
Kc8
Rf6
NXd4
Rf2+
The sealed move. Black resigned without
resuming, since after 42 RXg2 43 Rf4
h5 44 Rf7 Rg3 45 Rg7 the connected passed
pawns assure White of a win.
No. 52 Modern Benoni
Smyslov-Ffflp
European Team Championship, Vienna 1957
ld4
2c4
3d5
4Nc3
5cXd5
6e4
Nf6
c5
e6
exd5
d6
g6
The very start of the game promises a
complicated struggle. White has an obvious pawn
superiority in the centre, whereas Black's
chances are associated with a Q-side attack
by ... a6 and ... b5. The development of the
bishop at g7 corresponds best to the demands
of this plan.
7Nf3
8Be2
90-0
Bg7
0-0
Bg4
A possibly more promising continuation
here is 9 ... Re8 10 Qc2 Na6, aiming to put
pressure on White's pawn centre.
113

Games 52 & 53
10 h3 Bxf3
11 Bxf3 a6
12 Bf4 Ne8
This retreat leads to a passive game. Better
was 12 ... Qe7 and then 13 ... Nbd7.
13 a4 Nd7
14 Be2 Qc7
15 Rcl Rb8
16 b3
The final link in White's prophylactic set-up
on the Q-side. He can now think in terms of
offensive operations, involving the
preparation of f2-f4 and e4-e5.
16 ... Nef6
Thus with loss of time the knight returns to
its former post. It has to be admitted that
Black has failed to create any effective
counter-play.
17 Qc2 Rfe8
18 Bta2 h6
19Khl
White gradually strengthens his position,
preparing to set in motion his K-side pawns
with maximum effect. The immediate 19 f4
would have been premature on account of
19 ... Qa5, with the threat of ... b5. But
now the queen remains tied to the d6 pawn.
19 ... Nh7
20 f4!
A sharp attacking move, based on the
consideration that, in order to win a pawn,
Black would have to exchange his active
bishop, and at the same time weaken his
castled position. For example: 20 ... BXc3
21 Qxc3 Rxe4 22 Bd3 Re3 23 Qd2 Rbe8
24 b4, and White has good attacking
prospects in view of the threats of Bgl and f4-f5.
Black prefers to win a pawn by different
means, but goes 'from the frying pan into
the fire'.
20 ... f5?
20 ... Qa5 would have been more
circumspect, when there could have followed 21
Ndl b5 22 aXb5 axb5 23 Nf2. The move
played is based on the variation 21 eXf5
BXc3 22 fXg6 Nhf6, when the bishop at e2
is 'hanging'. But White finds a much more
purposeful plan.
21 Bf3! BXc3
22QXc3 fXe4
23 Bg4 Nhf6
24 Be6+ Kh7
25 h4
114

125 Selected Games
For the pawn White has attained a splendid
attacking position. He wishes now to open
lines on the K-side, and in the first instance
makes it impossible for Black to reply to
f4-f5 with ... g5.
25
Rg8
Black is ready to give up the exchange,
merely to slow the tempo of the attack. But
White disregards this sacrifice. His bishop at
e6 is worth more than the enemy rook—it
assists an energetic pawn storm.
26 g4!
27 g5
28 f5
29 fXg6+
30BXg4
31h5+!
b5
Ng4
Rgf8
KXg6
hXg4
White's attack develops unhindered. If
now 31 ... Kh7, then 32 Qe3 Rbe8 33 Rxf8
Nxf8 34 Rfl Kg8 35 g6 etc. Black prefers to
send his king off on a long and hazardous
journey.
31... Kxh5
32Qg7!
The decisive manoeuvre. Owing to the pin
on his knight, Black's queen is now cut off
from the main theatre of battle, and is
unable to come to the help of his lone king.
32 ...
33 Bxg3
34Rgl
g3
Kg4
Rh8+
35Bh2+
36Rcfl
37 Rf4+
38Qf7+
39Qf5
Kh4
Rbg8
Kh5
Rg6
Resigns
No. 53 Griinfeld Defence
Smyslov-Botvinnik
World Championship Match, Moscow, 1958
11th Game
ld4
2c4
3Nc3
4Nf3
5Qb3
6QXc4
7e4
Nf6
g6
d5
Bg7
dXc4
0-0
Bg4
Again, as in the 6th game of the 1957
match (No. 49), an interesting psychological
situation has arisen. For the second time
Botvinnik as Black employs my plan of piece
development, presenting me with a strong
pawn centre and inviting me to uphold the
classical principles of opening strategy.
8 Be3 Nfd7
9Rdl
Here I preferred to deviate from the
previous year's game, where I had played 9
0-0-0, thus deferring the theoretical argument
to another time. Thus match tactics sometimes
influence the choice of this or that
continuation.
9 ... Nb6
10 Qb3 Nc6
This move is perfectly playable, and leads
to lively piece play. Also satisfactory is 10 ...
e5 11 dxe5 N8d7 12 Be2 Qe7, with a
reasonable position.
11 d5 Ne5
12 Be2 Nxf3+
13 gXO Bb5

Games 53 & 54
This position is characteristic of the entire
opening variation, and is a starting point for
further analysis. Here White normally aims
for an attack on the K-side by f3-f4 and
h2-h4, while Black's chances are associated
with ... c6, after which the d-file is
undermined, and the position of the white king in
the centre may prove not altogether secure.
14 h4 Qd7
15 a4
An original idea—that of playing on both
wings, while leaving the black bishop shut
out at h5. It is now dangerous to accept the
pawn sacrifice, since 15 ... Bxc3 + 16 bXc3
QXa4 17 Qxa4 Nxa4 18 Kd2 leads to an
ending favouring White, who has the two
bishops and strong central pawns.
15 ... a5
16Nb5 Nc8
17 NXc7 was threatened.
17Bd4
Perfectly consistent, since with the exchange
of the black-squared bishops the position of
the black king is more vulnerable.
17 ... Nd6
An unsuccessful manoeuvre. Better was
17 ... Bxd4 18 Nxd4 Nb6! 19 Bb5 Qd6,
when White could have retained attacking
chances by 20 Rgl.
18 Bxg7 KXg7
19 Nd4!
The knight is very well placed here,
hindering the undermining possibilities ... c6 and
... e6.
19 Qc3+ Kg8 20 QXc7 was less good, in
view of 20 ... QXc7 21 NXc7 Rac8 22
Nb5 Rc2.
19 ... Kg8
After 19 ... c6 20 Qc3 f6 21 dXc6 bXc6
22 Qxc6 White wins a pawn.
20 Rgl
The most energetic move. If now 20 ... c6,
then 21 dXc6 bXc6 22 Qc3!, attacking the
weakened pawns. Sensing the danger, Black
tries to complicate matters by the following
queen manoeuvre.
20 ... Qh3
21Qe3
White consolidates his forces with the aim
of playing his queen to h6 or g5. In particular,
he threatens 21 Qg5, with a double attack on
h5 and e7. The logical reply was 21 ...
QXh4, and if 22 Qh6, then 22 ... e5, but
Konstantinopolsky has shown that White
then has a beautiful win: 23 dxe6 fxe6 24
NXe6 Rf7 25 Ng5 Re7 26 Rxd6 cXd6 (or
26 ... Qh2 27 RX.g6+! Kh8 28 Ne6) 27
Bc4+ Kh8 28 Bf7H Rxf7 29 Nxf7+ Kg8
30 Ng5, and mate cannot be prevented.
21 ... c5
116

125 Selected Games
This loses without a fight.
22dXc6 bxc6
23 Qg5! c5
On 23 ... Kh8 there would have followed
24 Qxe7 Rad8 25 Qf6+ Kg8 26 NXc6.
24 Nc6 Resigns.
No. 54 Caro-Kann Defence
Smyslov-Botvinnik
World Championship Match,
Moscow,
1958
19th Game
le4
2Nc3
3Nf3
4h3
c6
d5
Bg4
Bxf3
Instead of exchanging, Black can also
retreat his bishop to h5. However, I had no
doubt that Botvinnik would stick to the
opening scheme which he had employed in
the first few games of the match.
5QXf3
6d3
7a3
Nf6
e6
A system which I had prepared for this
game. White prevents the development of the
bishop at b4, avoids simplification, and
intends without hindrance to begin a K-side
pawn offensive.
1 ... Be7
8g4
This energetic pawn advance leads to
interesting play. 7 g3 is also perfectly possible.
8 ... Nfd7
Black selects a rather slow plan, involving
the transfer of his knight to g6, so as to halt
the advance of the white g- and h-pawns.
After 8 ... dXe4 9 dXe4 Nbd7 10 Bd2
followed by Q-side castling, White would
also have retained good prospects.
9d4 Nf8
Black consistently carries out his plan.
On 9 ... Nf6 there could have followed 10
Be3 dxe4 11 Nxe4 Qd5 12 Bd3, when
White's chances in the ending are preferable.
10Be3
HQg3
Ng6
A good positional manoeuvre, threatening
a K-side pawn offensive by 12 g5 and 13 h4.
Black's reply is practically forced.
11...
12Qh2
13 0-0-0
Bh4
Nd7
Qb8
Black decides against castling K-side, on
which there could have followed 14 Rgl,
preparing 15 f4, with good attacking chances
for White. Botvinnik intends to castle long,
but this leads to his king being stuck in the
centre.
14 f4 dXe4
15NXe4 Nf6
16 NXf6+ Bxf6
16 ... gXf6 was the lesser evil, when, at
the cost of a weakening of his pawn chain,
Black gains time to evacuate his king from
the centre.
17Qf2
18 QD
Bh4
White's superiority begins to assume real
proportions. He is ahead in development,
has an advantage is space, and is already
threatening 19 f5.
18 ...
19Bd3
Ne7
g6
Black engages in prophylaxis, but for this
there is probably already no time. 19 ... Qd6
was more expedient, although after 20 c4

Games 54 & 55
0-0-0 21 Rh2 followed by the transfer of the
rook to c2 (on 21 ... g5 there follows 22 Re2)
White retains the advantage.
20 f5!
exf5
As Botvinnik rightly pointed out in his
comments, 20 ... Qg3 was not good on
account of 21 QXg3 BXg3 22 fxe6 fxe6
23 Bh6 0-0-0 24 Rhf 1, with a clear advantage
in the ending.
21Bf4
An important intermediate move. Now,
without allowing the black queen in at g3,
White begins an attack on the king.
21 ...
22gXf5
Qd8
Qd5
On 22 ... Qxd4 there could have followed
23 fXg6 hXg6 24 BXg6 Qf2 25 Bxf7+
Kxf7 26 Qb3+ Ke8 27 Rhfl, with a very
strong attack.
23Qg4
24Rhel
25Qg3
Bf6
h5
h4
The natural 25 ... 0-0-0 could not have
satisfied Black, because of 26 Bb8 Qa5 27
fXg6 fxg6 28 Re6 Qg5+ 29 Kbl, when
White has a clear advantage in the ending.
But after the move in the game things are
even worse for Black.
26Qg4
27 Bxf5
gXf5
Kf8
28Be4
29 c3
Qa2
Rd8
30Rfl!
This switching of the rook to the open
f-file is the quickest way of disclosing the lack
ofprotection available to the black king.
30...
31Bd2
Nd5
Rd6
If 31 ... Bg7, then 32 RXf7+ Kxf7 33
Qg6+ Kf8 (or 33 ... Kg8 34 Qe6+) 34
Rfl+, with a crushing attack.
32 Qc8+ Ke7
33 Qxb7+ Rd7
34 Rdel!
The decisive blow! On 34 ... RXb7 there
follows 35 Bxd5+ Kd8 36 BXa2.
34... Qal +
35Bbl+ Resigns
36 ... Kd6 is met by 37 Rxf6+ Nxf6
38 Bf4+, and mate next move.
No. 55 Sicilian Defence
Smyslov-Spassky
Match Moscow-Leningrad, Leningrad 1959
le4
2Nf3
3d4
4NXd4
c5
e6
cxd4
a6
118

With my father, 1935.
^
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Playing White against Aleksandr Konstantinopolsky in the 12th USSR Championship, 1940.

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Moscow 1957,

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In play against Samuel Reshevsky at the USA-USSR Team Match. New York, 1954.

The 1957 World Championship Match with Botvinnik.

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The 21st game of the World Championship Match, Moscow 1957.

With my wife, minutes after winning the World Championship, 1957.
With Lyev Kassil, author of children's books, at a prize-giving of the All-Union 'White rook' tournament.

Relaxing during the Capablanca Memorial Tournament, Cuba 1970
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Observing my game with Oleg Romanishin at the 1977 Leningrad International Tournament are World

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My favourite relaxation—music.
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Analysing with Grigory Levenfish.

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David BronsCein.
Mikhail Tal

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Analysing with Mikhail Tal and Salo Flohr.

Anatoly Karpov, Moscow 1975.

125 Selected Games
An old opening system, which first occurred
back in the last century in the games of the
brothers Louis and Wilfried Paulsen. It is
characterized by the development of the
queen at c7, followed by ... b5. In our time
the Paulsen system has become very popular.
5c4
White's task is to gain control of the centre,
and to obtain free play. This plan was
considered the strongest, until more reliable
methods of defence were found for Black.
5 ... Nc6
Theory recommends here 5 ... Nf6 6 Nc3
Bb4, with a satisfactory position. Spassky
deviates from well known variations, but to
no purpose: he is unable to avoid opening
difficulties.
6Nc3 Bc5
7 Nb3 Bb4
8 Bd3 Nge7
90-0 0-0
10Qc2
10... BXc3
This exchange is associated with the idea
of advancing ... d5, but this leads to the
opening up of the game, when the advantage
of the two bishops becomes very real. Better
was 10 ... Ne5 11 Be2 Qc7 12 a3 Bxc3
13 Qxc3, when Black still has chances of
equalizing.
11 QXc3 d5
12 Be3 dXc4
13 BXc4 Qc7
14 Racl Rd8
15 f4 Bd7
At first sight it appears that Black has
successfully completed his development, and
has obtained a sound, if cramped, position.
16 Qel!
A subtle positional manoeuvre.
The transfer of the queen to f2 discloses
the Achilles heel in Black's defensive set-up:
the square b6. In addition, f4-f5, with the
opening of the f-file, becomes an imminent
threat.
16 ... b6
16 ... b5 is no better after 17 Be2 Be8
18 Qf2 Rab8 19 Nc5, and White's pressure
increases.
17 Qf2 Rdb8
18 f5!
The decisive pawn break-through, based
on a simple variation—18 ... eXf5 19 Bf4,
winning the exchange. Exploiting the fact
that Black's pieces have been diverted to the
Q-side, White embarks on a direct attack on
the king.
18 ... Qc8
19 Nd4!
119

Games 55, 56 & 57
This is stronger than 19 f6 Ng6 20 fxg7
Qe8, when Black can put up a resistance by
exploiting the strong square e5 for his knights.
19 ... Nxd4
It is difficult to suggest anything better.
After 19 ... e5 20 Nxc6 Nxc6 21 Bd5
Qe8 22 f6 White's attack is very dangerous,
while if 19 ... eXf5, then 20 exf5, with the
threat of f5-f6.
20 Bxd4 Nc6
21 fxe6 Bxe6
22 Bxe6 Resigns.
22 ... Qxe6 is met by 23 RXc6 QXc6
24 Qxf7+, and mate next move.
No. 56 Griinfeld Defence
Gligoric-Smyslov
Match USSR-Yugoslavia, Kiev 1959
1 d4 Nf6
2c4 g6
3Nc3 d5
4cXd5 Nxd5
5e4 Nxc3
6bxc3 Bg7
The main variation of the Griinfeld Defence,
where Black conducts piece play against
White's pawn centre and a sharp struggle
normally results. Black need not fear 7 Ba3,
since after 7 ... b6 he will still be able to
play ... c5.
7Bc4 c5
8Ne2 0-0
9 0-0 Nc6
10 Be3 Qc7
I worked out this system a long time ago,
before the game with Gligoric, where I was
employing it for the first time. Earlier the
usual continuation was 10 ... cXd4 11
cxd4 Bg4 12 f3 Na5 13 Bd3 Be6, but this
position did not appeal to me, as it had been
subjected to detailed study.
URcl Rd8
12 h3
Preventing the development of the bishop
atg4.
12 ... b6
13 f4 e6
14 Qel Bb7
15 QG
Great complications result from 15 f5,
when a possible continuation is 15 ... Na5
16 Bd3 (16fXe6Nxc417 Rxf7 Qc8) 16 ...
exf5 17 cxf5 Re8, and 18 Qf2 fails to
18 ... c4 19 Bbl Qe7, winning a piece.
15 ... Na5
16Bd3 f5
This standard advance deprives the white
centre of its mobility.
17 e5 c4
18Bc2 Nc6
The opening has brought Black a positional
advantage. The bishop at b7 occupies a
strong diagonal, and now the knight heads for
the splendid blockading square d5.
19 g4
White has no other way of activating his
game.
19 ... Ne7
20Kh2 Qc6
iTn

125 Selected Games
21Ng3
22 a4
23RM
24Bd2
25Ral
b5
a6
Rab8
bXa4
regains the exchange, maintaining an
lent position.
35 Rfal Nc4
36Ng3
White thought that in this way he would
regain his pawn, but Black finds an interesting
possibility ...
25...
26 Bxa4
27Ra2
28gXf5
29 Bel
30Ne2
31Bc2
Ba8
Qc7
Rb6
eXf5
Nd5
a5
31 ...
Rb3!
White seemed to have set up a sound
defence, but this well prepared exchange sacrifice
adds sharpness to Black's attack.
32Bxb3
33Ra4
cXb3
Bf8
Of course, not 33 ... Nxc3 because of
34 Nxc3 Qxc3 35 Bd2. By the move played
Black strengthens his offensive by including
his black squared bishop. Now on 34 c4 he has
strong attacking possibilities: 36 ... Nb6 37
R X a5 N x c4 with threats, or else 36 ... Nb4.
34Bb2
Ne3!
A spectacular stroke. 35 QXe3 is met by
the double attack 35 ... Qc6, when Black
If 36 RXc4 Qxc4 37 RXa5, then 37 ...
Be7 with the dangerous threat of 38 ... Bh4!
36...
37Nfl
Be7
Better was 37 Qe2 Bd5 and now 38 Nfl
Ra8 39 Ne3' Nxe3 40 QXe3 Bc6 41 Rc4
Qd7 42 RXc6 Qxc6 when after 43 Qd3 a4
White has possibilities of advancing the
d-pawn to complicate the situation.
The interesting 37 Nxf5 gXf5 38 Rgl +
Kf8 39 Qg3 fails to save White, since after
39 ... Bd5 the black king is securely defended.
37...
38RXC4
Qc6
Hoping on 38 ... QXc4 to answer 39 Ne3
Qc7 40 c4 with counter-chances, but Black
forces an elegant mating finish.
38 ...
39Kg3
QM +
b5!
White resigns, since 40 ... h4 mate is
threatened, while if the queen moves to e2 or
d2 there follows 40 ... Qgl +.
No. 57 Sicilian Defence
Fischer-Smyslov
Candidates Tournament, Yugoslavia 1959
le4
2Nf3
3d4
4Nxd4
5Nc3
6Bc4
c5
e6
cxd4
Nf6
d6
This system of development, suggested by
the Soviet theorist Sozin, was included by
121

Games 57 & 58
Fischer in his opening repertoire, and upheld
with unusual constancy during the
Candidates Tournament.
6 ... Be7
7 0-0 a6
8Bb3 b5
9f4 0-0
10 f5
This swift offensive involves a problematic
pawn sacrifice.
10 ... b4!
HNce2
Of course, the piece sacrifice 11 f Xe6 is too
risky, e.g. 11 ... bXc3 12 exf7+ Kh8 13
bXc3 Bg4 14 Qel Qc8, and Black has
adequate defensive resources.
11 ... e5
12 Nf3 Bb7
12 ... NXe4 deserved serious
consideration, and if 13 Bd5, then 13 ... Bb7 14 BXb7
Qb6+ 15 Khl Qxb7, when White has no
real compensation for the pawn.
13Ng3 NXe4
14NXe4 Bxe4
15 Qel!
This subtle manoeuvre allows White to
keep up the pressure. On 15 ... Bxf5 there
follows 16 NXe5 dXe5 17 RXf5 Nc6 18
Be3 with fair chances. Complicated play
results from 15 ... Qb6+ 16 Khl Qb7 17 Qg3
Nd7 18 Bh6 Bf6 19 Radl Kh8 20 Be3 etc.
Black prefers to simplify matters.
15 ... Bxf3
16 Rxf3 Nc6
17 Qe4 Nd4
18 Rh3 Bf6
The threat of 19 f6 had to be parried. In
the meantime, White succeeds in transferring
his bishop to the centre of the board.
19Bd5 Rc8
20 c3 bXc3
21 bxc3 Nb5
22Bd2 Rc5
23 Khl Qd7
Black's plan includes transferring his king's
rook to the Q-side, and in case of necessity
evacuating his king via f8 to e7.
The tactical justification of his last move
lies in the variation 24 c4 Nc7 25 Bb4 NXd5
26 BXc5 Nf4, when Black's chances are
better.
24Bb3
White frees his queen for the attack on the
K-side, but in doing so lifts the blockade on
the central pawns. To be considered was
24 Rfl, e.g. 24 ... Rfc8 25 c4 Nc7 26 Bb7
Rb8 27 Be3 (or 27 Bb4 d5 28 cXd5 Qb5)
27 ... RXc4 28 QXc4 RXb7, and Black
gains two pawns for the exchange.
24 ... d5
25 Qf3 Nd6!
26 Rfl Ne4
122

125 Selected Games
The knight has taken up a splendid position,
thanks to which Black has acquired excellent
possibilities of counter-play.
27Qh5
28Bxh6
h6
The game enters a phase of great
complications. At the cost of a piece the black king's
pawn shelter is destroyed.
28... gxh6
29Bc2
If 29 QXh6, then 29 ... Rfc8 30 Bc2
(30 Bff3 Bg7) 30 ... Bg7 31 Qh7+ Kf8 32
BXe4 dxe4 33 f6 Bxf6, and the attack is
repelled.
29 ... Bg5
30 f6 Rb8!
31 BXe4 dXe4
32Rg3
The attack reaches its height. 32 ... Kh7
and 32 ... Kf8 both fail to 33 RXg5, and
both 33 Qxh6 and 33 h4 are also threatened.
In this critical situation Black is saved by an
interesting tactical idea.
32 ..
Qf5!
This spectacular manoeuvre by the queen,
which cannot be taken because of the mating
threat at bl (now the point of 30 ... Rb8! will
be understood!), solves completely Black's
defensive problems.
33 Kgl Qg6
34 Qe2 Rc6
First of all eliminating the dangerous f6
pawn. Now White can regain his piece, but
he is unable to parry the counter-threats.
35 h4
36RXf6
37Qh5
RXf6
QXf6
37 hXg5 would have been answered by
37 ... Qf4 38 Qg4 h5!, while 37 Qxe4
fails to 37 ... Qf4 38 Qxf4 eXf4 39 Rg4 f5
when Black wins.
37 ...
38Kh2
39hXg5
40QXg5+
41 RXg5+
42Rh5
43Kg3
Qf4
Kg7
hXg5
QXg5
Kf6
Rbl!
Rfl
The rook ending is fairly easily won.
White's king is cut off from the passed pawns,
the advance of which is irresistible.
44Rh4
45Rh5+
46Rh6+
47Rh4
48Re4
White resigns.
Kf5
Ke6
f6
e3
f5
No. 58 Sicilian Defence
Smysloy
-Tal
Candidates Tournament, Yugoslavia 1959
le4
2Nf3
3d4
4NXd4
5Nc3
6Be2
c5
d6
cXd4
Nf6
a6
This quiet plan of development has its
virtues. Without hurrying, White can
develop his forces and restrain Black's possible
Q-side counter-play.
123

Game 58
6 ...
7Nb3
8 0-0
9Be3
10 a4
e5
Be7
0-0
Qc7
Preventing 10 ... b5. On the previous
move 9 ... b5 was unfavourable for Black
because of 10 a4 b4 11 Nd5, and if 11 ...
NXd5 12 Qxd5, or 11 ... NXe4 12 Nb6.
10 ...
11 a5
Be6
Qc6
Black strives for ... d5, but White is able
to prevent this freeing advance.
12Bf3
13 Nd5!
14exd5
NM7
Bxd5
QbS
On 14 ... Qc4 there could have followed
15 Nd2, and if 15 ... Qh4, then 16 g3 Qh3
17 Ra4, or 15 ... Qb5 16 Qbl!, intending
17 c4.
15Qd3!
The correct way of handling the position.
The exchange of queens at d3 favours White,
as he gains the possibility of rook operations
on the c-fUe. With the advantage of the two
bishops and strong Q-side pressure, he can be
hopeful of success in the endgame.
15 ...
16Rfcl
17cXd3
Rfc8
QXd3
g6
17 ... Nc5 is unfavourable because of 18
NXc5dXc5 19 d6!
18Rc3
19bXc3
20 c4
RXc3
Rc8
e4!
The only possibility of activating his game.
Otherwise White continues 21 Rbl, with
pressure on the b7 pawn.
21 dxe4
22Nd2
23Bdl
24Kfl
RXc4
Rc2
Rc3
White aims to strengthen his position by
transferring his king to e2, and his bishop to
d4.
24...
25Bd4
26BXc5
Nc5
Rd3
dXc5
On 26 ... R X d2 there would have followed
27 Be3 Rb2 28 Rcl, when the e4 pawn is
immune: 28 ... NXe4 29 Rc8+ Kg7 30
Bd4+, winning the exchange.
27Ke2
RXd2+
After 27 ... Rd4 28 f3 White's central
pawns may become very dangerous. The
a5 pawn restrains two black pawns, and
28 ... c4 is not possible due to 29 Ra4.
By sacrificing the exchange and thus
winning the important e4 pawn, Tal hopes to
create a 'fortress' on the black squares.
28KXd2
29Kc2
NXe4+
Nd6
29 ... NXf2 fails to 30 Bf3 f5 31 Rbl.
30Be2 Bf6
124

125 Selected Games
On 30 ... Bd8 there would have followed
31 Kb3 Kf8 32 Ka4, with the threat of 33 Rcl.
31Rbl
Kf8
On 31 ... Bd8 there could have followed
32 Bxa6 bXa6 33 Rb8.
32Kb3
Ke7
If 32 ... Ne4, then 33 Rcl Bd4 34 f3 Nd6
35Bd3.
33Bd3
34 f4
Kd7
The game was adjourned in this position,
with Black sealing his next move.
The white king has taken up a good post,
from where it restrains the advance ... c4,
and in certain variations defends the a5 pawn.
White can now begin active measures on the
K-side, so as to open a file for his rook.
41 ..
Bel
35Rfl
Bd4
Be3
On 35 ... £5 White could have played
36 Rel, subsequently strengthening his
position by 37 Re2 with the idea of h4-h5.
36 f5
37 f Xg6
Bd2
hXg6
37 ... fXg6 would have been met by 38
Rf8 Bxa5 39 Rh8.
38Ral
Of course, White does not intend to give up
his a5 pawn.
38 ...
39Ra2
40 h4
Ke7
Bb4
Analysis showed that Black is unable to
hold the position, as the passed h-pawn diverts
his forces which are needed for the defence of
the Q-side.
42 h5 Kg5
43 Ral Bd2
44Rhl
The h-pawn threatens to advance, and so
the exchange on h5 is forced.
44... gXh5
45gXb5 c4+
If immediately 45 ... Kh6, then 46 Ka4 c4
47 Be2 is possible, when Black's 'fortress' is
destroyed.
46Bxc4 KM
47RT1!
Threatening 48 Rf6 + .
47 ... KXh5
On 47 ... Bg5 there would have followed
48 Be2.
White's plan includes creating a passed
pawn on the K-side. Now 40 ... Bel fails
to 41 Re2+.
48Rf6
49Be2+
Ne4
40 ...
41 g4
Kf6
Vacating c4 for the king in the event of
.. Nc5+.
49 ... Kg5
50 RXH Be3
125

Games 58, 59 & 60
If 50 ... Bxa5, then 51 Bd3 Nd6 52 Rd7.
51Re7
52Bd3
53 KM
Threatening 54 Re6.
53 ...
54axb6
55 Bxa6
The win for White is
55 ...
56Re6
57Kc5
58Bd3
59Bg6
60Re8
61Kc6
62Re4+
63Bh7
64Bf5
65Bg4
Kf4
Nd6
b6
Bxb6
not far off.
Bd4
Be5
Nf7
Bb2
Ng5
Ba3+
Nf3
Kg5
Kh6
Kg5
Resigns
No. 59 Sicilian Defence
Keres-Smyslov
Candidates Tournament, Yugoslavia 1959
le4
2Nf3
3d4
4Nxd4
5Nc3
6f4
c5
d6
cxd4
Nf6
e6
a6
In this tournament I employed the Sicilian
Defence several times. Although it has
occurred only sporadically in my opening
repertoire, it has nevertheless brought me quite
good practical results.
7Qf3
8Nb3
9Bd3
10Be3
110-0
Qb6
Nc6
Be7
Qc7
0-0
A typical Scheveningen position. Now on
12 a3 there could have followed 12 ... b5,
when Black does not have to fear 13 e5? dXe5
14fXe5 NXe5 15 QXa8 Neg4 16 Bf4Qb6 +
17 Khl Bb7, when he has a good game.
12 Rael
13 a3
14cXd3
15Rcl
Nb4
NXd3
Bd7
White decides against the K-side pawn
storm with g2-g4, and concentrates his
attention on the Q-side, where the c-file has been
opened.
15 ... Qb8
16 Na5 Bd8
17 b4 b6
18 Nb3 Be7
19Nbl
An unfortunate manoeuvre, which allows
Black to seize the initiative. It was better to
chance the active 19 g4, although Black could
have defended by 19 ... Qd8 20 g5 Ne8.
19 ...
20Nd4
21aXb4
22Nd2
23Bf2
a5!
axb4
Qb7
Ra3
b5
Fixing the b4 pawn, and taking c4 away
from the white knight. White is now
condemned to passive defence.
126

125 Selected Games
24Nc2
25Nb3
26 Ncd4
27RXc8
28Rcl
29Khl
Ra2
Rc8
Bd8
BXc8
Bd7
Prophylaxis, in anticipation of the black
bishop moving to b6.
29...
30Bh4
Qa8
Bb6
Black has gradually improved the positions
of his pieces on the Q-side, and he does not
fear 31 BXf6 gXf6, when White has no real
threats.
31 Qdl Qa4
32 Bel h6
33Bc3
33 h3 is preferable, although it is true that
Black could then have played 33 ... g6,
with the idea of ... Nh5.
33 ...
34fXe5
e5!
White's position is no easier after 34 Nf5
Bxf5 35 eXf5 Nd5, with the threat of 36 ...
Ne3.
34 ...
35 Bel
36Nf5
37 eXf5
Ng4
dxe5
Bxf5
RXg2!
The culmination of Black's attack. The
rook cannot be taken because of the knight
fork at e3.
38Rc8+
39 d4
Kh7
There is no salvation. On 39 Bg3 Black
wins by 39 ... RXg3 40 hXg3 Nf2+.
39 ...
40Egl
White resigns.
RXh2+
Bxd4+
On 41 Kfl there follows 41 ... Ne3 + .
No. 60 Nimzo-Indian Defence
Gligoric-Smyslov
ites Tournament,'.
Id4
2c4
3Nc3
4e3
5Bd3
6Nf3
7 0-0
8BXC4
Jugoslav
Nf6
e6
Bb4
0-0
c5
d5
dXc4
Qe7
This queen move was first employed by me
in the present game. Subsequent practice
confirmed the viability of the innovation.
9a3
10Qc2
Ba5
Bd7
With the white queen at c2, Black must
quickly develop a rook at c8.
Ildxc5
12Ne4
13 b4
14QXe4
QXc5
NXe4
Qh5
On 14 bXa5 Black could have replied
14 ... Nd6, with an active game.
14
Bc6
127

Games 60 & 61
15Qf4
16Bb2
Bb6
Nd7
Black has achieved a good game, and White
has to reckon with the possibility of ... Rc8
and ... Bc7.
17Qg3
18Nd4
Qg6
Of course, it is difficult to attach a question
mark to this move, but the further course of
the game shows that the black bishop takes
up a very strong post at a4, and it should not
have been 'invited' there. The prophylactic
18 Bb3 was preferable.
18...
19Rfcl
20hXg3
Ba4!
Qxg3
Rfd8
This move emphasizes Black's desire to
continue the struggle.
21Be2
22Bdl
22 Bf3 was better.
22 ...
23RXdl
Nf6
Bxdl
Ne4
II
tmt
H *.iHl ,Wm
i '■WW "mA
The knight takes up a strong post in the
centre, and now by ... e5 and ... f6 Black
threatens to limit the scope of White's minor
pieces and to take the initiative.
24Nb3
On 24 Kf 1 Black replies 24 ... Rac8 25
Racl e5 26 Ne2 (or 26Nf5RXdl + 27 RXdl
Rc2, winning) 26 ... RXdl + 27 RXdl
f6 28 f3 (28 Rcl Rd8) 28 ... Rc2, with the
better game.
24 ... f 6
25 g4
On 25 Bd4 there would have followed
25 ...e5 26BXb6RXdl+27RXdlaXb6,
with the advantage.
Black also has the advantage after 25 Kfl
Rac826 RXd8 + (26 Racl RXdl + 27 RXdl
Rc2) 26 ... RXd8 27 Ke2 (27 Rcl Rd3)
27 ... NXf2 28Kxf2Rd3.
25 ... e5
26 Kfl RacS
27RXd8+ Rxd8
28Ke2
28 Rcl is bad because of 28 ... Rd3, while
if 28 Rel, then 28 ... Rd3 29 Nal (or
29 Ncl Rd2 30 Re2 Rdl+ 31 Rel Nd2+ 32
Ke2 RXel+ 33 Kxel Nc4, winning an
important pawn) 29 ... Rd2 30 Re2 BXe3!
31 RXe3 (31 f%e3 Ng3+) 31 ... RXf2+
32 Kel RXb2, and Black wins.
Ifel
Black
28 ...
29KXO
regains his
pawn up.
30Nc5
31bXc5
32KT3
piece
NXf2!
Rd3
and conies
Bxc5
Rd2+
RXb2
out a
128

125 Selected Games
For the moment the rook ending involves
certain technical difficulties.
33Rdl
34Rd7
35Rc7
36Ke4
37Kd5
38Kd6
39Kd7
a6
h6
aS
Kh7
a4
Kg6
This makes it easier for Black to win, since
he is able to activate his king.
39 ...
40gXf5+
41Kd6
f5!
Kxf5
If 41 Kc8, then 41 ... Rb5 42 RXg7
RXc5+ 43 KXb7 Rc3, and wins.
41 ...
42Ke7
43ET7
44Kxg7
Rd2+
Rd5
Ke4
44 Ke6 can be met by 44 ... g6 45 g4 g5
46 Rc8 Rd3 47 Rc7 Rb3, winning.
44 ...
45Kxh6
46RXb7
KXe3
e4
RXc5
White has gained material equality, but
Black has a very dangerous passed pawn.
47 g4
48Rb4
Kf4
On 48 Re7 'there follows 48 ... Re5
49 RXe5 KXe5 50 g5 e3, when the pawn
ending is won for Black.
48...
49 g5
50 g6
White resigns.
Kf3
e3
e2
No. 61 Queen's Gambit Accepted
Petrosian-Smyslov
Candidates Tournament, Yugoslavia 1959
lNf3
2c4
3e3
4BXc4
50-0
6d4
d5
dXc4
Nf6
e6
c5
a6
By transposition a variation of the Queen's
Gambit Accepted has been reached.
7Qe2
8Bb3
9Nc3
b5
Bb7
In the 17th USSR Championship (1949)
Petrosian played against me 9 a4; after
9 ... Nbd7 10 e4 cXd4 11 e5 Ng4 12 aXb5
Bc5! 13 bXa6 0-0 Black gained the initiative.
9 ...
lORdl
Nbd7
Bd6
An innovation! This move, with the idea
of ... Qb8, is more active than the usual
development of the bishop at e7.
11 e4
12 Nxd4
cXd4
Subsequently it was found that 12 RXd4 is
stronger, when after 12 ... Bc5 13 Rd3
Black is faced with more difficult
problems.
12 ...
13Nf3
Qb8!
An unhappy retreat. Preferable was 13 g3
or 13 h3.
129

Games 61 & 62
13
b4!
Black aims to win the white e-pawn. Thus
on 14 Na4 there follows simply 14 ... NXe4,
while if 14 RXd6, then 14 ... QXd6 15 e5
Nxe5 16 NXe5 bXc3 17 Ba4+ Kf8, when
White's initiative does not compensate for his
material deficit.
14Nd5
15 e5
16 Nxe5
eXd5
Nxe5
0-0
This simple move retains for Black his
extra pawn and an undisputed advantage.
16 ... Bxe5 was less good because of 17 f4.
17Nf3
18Qd3
Re8
a5
The result is that Black has an extra central
pawn and good development; he also
threatens ... Ba6-e2Xf3.
19Bg5
Ng4
Now on 19 ... Ba6 there would have
followed 20 Qf5 Be2 21 BXf6.
20 g3
20 h3 fails to 20 ... Bh2+21 Kf 1 Ba6,when
White loses his queen.
20 ...
21Rd2
22Rfl
Bc5
Qa7
h6
A useful move, since after the immediate
22 ... Ba6 White continues 23 Qxd5 Bxfl
24 Kxfl, with complications.
23 Bf4 Ba6
24Qf5
On 24 Qxd5 there could have followed
24 ... BXfl 25 Kxfl Rad8.
24... BXfl
25QXg4 Bc4!
26 Bxh6 g6
27 Bxc4 dXc4
28Rd7
White tries to complicate matters as much
as possible, since 28 QXc4 Rad8 allows
Black to mobilize his forces.
28
Qa6
A good defensive manoeuvre—defending
the c4 pawn, while at the same time the queen
comes to the defence of her king.
29Rc7
The tempting rook sacrifice can be refuted:
29 RXf7 Kxf7 30 Qd7+ Re7 31 Ng5+
Kg8 32 Qd5+ Kh8 33 Qxc5 Qf6 34 Qxc4
Rd8 35 Qh4 Rdl+ 36 Kg2 Qc6+ 37 Kh3
(57/5 fails to 37 ... Re2+ 38 Kh3 Rxh2+
39 KXh2 Qc2+ 40 Kh3 Mil + 41 Kg4 Qf5
mate) 37 ... Qd7+ 38 Kg2 Qd5+ 39 Kh3
Kg8, and Black's material advantage
guarantees him a win.
29 ...
30Bf4
31Rd7
Qd6
Qd5
Qe6
130

125 Selected Games
With the exchange of queens White's
hopes of an attack disappear.
32QXe6 RXe6
33 Rc7 Bb6
34Rb7
On 34 Rxc4 there would have followed
34 ... Re2.
c3
34 ...
35 bXc3
36Kfl
bXc3
In the event of 36 Ng5 Rc6 37 Nxf7 c2
38 Bel Ra7 Black wins.
36...
37Ng5
38NXH
39RXb6
Rd8
Rf6
RXf7
RXf4!
White resigns, since on 40 gxf4 there
follows 40 ... c2, when he has to give up his
rook for the pawn.
No. 62 English Opening
Olafsson-Smyslov
Candidates Tournament, Yugoslavia 1959
lc4
2Nc3
3g3
e5
Nf6
Bb4
I played this move in the present game
with the aim of trying an original plan,
involving the active advance 6 ... e4!
Subsequent practice confirmed the viability of this
opening idea, and the new system of
development soon became generally rather popular.
4Bg2
5Nf3
60-0
0-0
Re8
e4!
This advance across the demarcation line
has given new life to the entire variation.
The central e4 pawn becomes an important
outpost in Black's set-up. Now the bishop
at g2 is restricted, and on 7 Ng5 there follows
7 ... BXc3 8 bxc3 h6, when the knight has
to retreat to the modest square h3.
7 Nd4 Nc6
8 Nc2 BXc3
The most logical continuation. The
keystone of the position is the e4 pawn, and it
needs to be over-protected. In addition, White
is given doubled c-pawns, which somewhat
reduces their value. In the event of 8 ... Bf8
Black has to reckon with the manoeuvre
Ne3-d5.
9 dxc3 Ne5
10 b3 d6
11 Bg5 Ned7
12 Qd4 h6
Just at the right time, so as to get rid of the
unpleasant pin on the knight. If 13 Be3, then
13 ... b6 followed by 14 ... Bb7 is possible,
when Black completes his development.
13 Bxf6
14Ne3
15Rael
16 f4
NXf6
Qe7
Bd7
eXf3
The correct solution to a positional problem.
Capturing en passant prevents White from
gaining control of e5 and of becoming
established in the centre. Now the e-file is
opened, and the two sides' chances become
completely equal.
17 exf3 Bc6
18Nc2
131

Games 62 & 63
18 Nd5 is not dangerous, in view of 18 ...
QXel 19 Nxf6+ gXf6 20 Rxel RXel +
21 Kf2 Rae8, when White has no time to
take the f6 pawn, since his king is threatened
with mate.
18 ... Qd7
19 Nb4 Re7
Perhaps an unneccessary move. Simpler
was 19 ... a5 20 NXc6 bXc6 21 f4 c5 22
Qd2 Rab8.
20 Qf2 Rxel
21 Rxel a5
22 Nxc6 bxc6
23 c5
This activity proves to be unfounded, since
it is soon apparent that the opening of the
game favours Black. 23 f4 looks more natural
and better, with the possible sequel 23 ...
Re8 24 b4 aXb4 25 cXb4 (or 25 RXe8+
QXe8 26 cxb4 Qe6) 25 ... RXel+ 26
QXel Qf5 27 BXc6 Qc2, when Black has
sufficient counter-play for the pawn.
23 ... dxc5!
Quite rightly, Black is not afraid of having
tripled pawns. If now 24 QXc5, then 24 ...
Qd2 25 Rfl Qxa2 26 Qxc6 Re8 27 Qxc7
Re2 28 Bh3 Rxh2 29 Qc8+ Kh7 30 Qf5+
Kh8 31 Qc8+ Ng8, and Black avoids
perpetual check while retaining the attacking
formation of his heavy pieces.
24 f4 a4!
Black has a dangerous initiative.
Exploiting his 'tripled' pawn at c5 (which for the
moment is still alive), he succeeds in opening
the a-file for his rook. After 25 b4 cXb4
26 cxb4 Ng4! 27 Bh3 (or 27 Qb2 Re8) 21 ...
Rd8 28 BXg4 QXg4 an ending is reached
where Black has the better chances.
25Qxc5 axb3
26 axb3 Qd2
27 Qe3 Qb2
28 h3 Ra2
How swiftly the situation has changed!
The queen and rook have taken up a
menacing position on the seventh rank, and White
has to concern himself over the safety of his
king.
29Qf3 c5
30 g4 g6
31 c4 Kg7
32 Rdl Qc2!
A typical plan of combining activity on
both flanks; the b3 pawn is a convenient
target for attack. Without removing his
threats to the white king, Black increases the
pressure on White's pawn weaknesses, and
still further restricts the mobility of the white
pieces.
33 Rel Rb2
34 Re3 h5!
Now the threat is 35 ... hXg4 36 hxg4
NXg4 37 Qxg4 Qcl + , so that g4-g5,
stabilizing the K-side pawn position, is forced.
132

125 Selected Games
35 g5
36Rc3
37 Bfl
Nh7
Qbl +
Successfully avoiding a little trap: 37 Qfl
RXg2+ 38 KXg2 Qb2+, when the rook is
lost.
37
Nf8
The decisive manoeuvre—the knight heads
for the central square d4. On 38 f5 there
follows 38 ... gXf5 39 QXh5 Qel 40 Rf3
Qd2, with an irresistible attack.
38Qe3
39 h4
40Qe5+
41 f5
White resigns.
Ne6
Qdl
Kb7
Rbl
After 42 fXg6+ fXg6 43 Qf6 Qg4+ 44
Khl QXh4+ 45 Kgl QXg5+ White comes
out two pawns down.
No. 63 Alekhine's Defence
Smyslov-Spassky
tch Moscow-Leningrad, 1
le4
2e5
3d4
4Nf3
5Be2
6c4
7eXd6
8 0-0
9Nc3
Nf6
Nd5
d6
Bg4
Nc6
Nb6
exd6
Be7
0-0
Black could have tried 9 ... Bxf3 10
Bxf3 Nxc4 11 BXc6+ bXc6 12 Qa4 Nb6
13 QXc6+ Qd7, but after 14 d5 O-O 15 a4
White's position is slightly preferable.
10 ... d5 is not good enough to equalize
after 11 c5 Nc8 12 h3 Be6 13 Bb5 Bf6 14
BXc6 bXc6 15 Bf4, when the chances are
with White.
HBe3
12 b3!
Re8
It is useful to drive the bishop back to h5.
In the event of 12 . . Bxf3 13 Bxf3 Black
is unable to make the important advance
... d5.
12 ... BhS
13Qd2 d5
Black's desire to obtain equilibrium in the
centre is natural, but now complications
favourable to White arise. To be considered
was 13 ... Bg6.
14 c5 Nc8
lSRadl a5
16 Rfel N8a7
This knight has no other square, since
16 ... N8e7 is met by 17 g4 Bg6 18 g5,
winning a piece.
17 Bf4 Qd7
The attempt to relieve the pressure by
17 ... Bxf3 18 BXf3 RXel+ 19 QXel
NXd4 20 NXd5 is unsuccessful, since the
opening of the game favours White.
18 g4
An important move, restricting the mobility
of the black pieces.
18 ...
19Bg3
20Qf4
Bg6
h6
The c7 pawn is under attack.
10 b3
Bf6
20 ...
21 Bfl
22 RXe7
Re7
Rae8
RXe7
m

Games 63 & 64
23 h4!
Now 24 g5 is threatened, and there is no
satisfactory defence.
23.
Re4
If 23 ... Be4, then 24 g5 BXf3 25 gXf6
BXdl 26 fXe7 Bh5 27 Nxd5! and wins, so
Black decides to give up the exchange.
24NXe4
25 h5!
26 g5
27NXg5
dXe4
Bh7
hxg5
BXg5
On 27 ... NXd4 there follows 28 Nxh7
Nf3+29Qxf3!
28QXg5
f6
28 ... Nxd4 could have been met by 29
Qe3 Nac6 30 Bb5, when the knight at d4 is
hanging.
29 Bc4+ Resigns.
No. 64 Griinfeld Defence
Polugayevsky-Smyslov
Central Chess Club International Tournament,
Moscow 1960
ld4
2Nf3
3c4
4e3
d5
Nf6
c6
g6
Since White has restricted his white-squared
bishop, this transition into the Schlechter
Defence is perfectly justified.
5Nc3
6Bd3
70-0
8h3
9QXf3
lORdl
11 e4
Bg7
0-0
Bg4
BXf3
e6
Nbd7
A natural but unfortunate continuation.
I should remind the reader that the same
position occurred in my game with Bisguier
(No. 41). The pawn advance in the centre is
known to be premature, and leads to serious
difficulties for White.
11 ... e5!
12eXd5 exd4
13 dXc6 Ne5
14Qe2
Of course, not 14 Qg3 Nh5.
Now after 14 ... dXc3 15 Qxe5 Nh5 16
c7 Qh4 17 Qb5 the chances are equal, but the
following simple reply gives Black the
advantage.
14... Nxd3
15 RXd3 bXc6
II
!*F
mmt
16Bg5
If 16 Ne4, then 16 ... Re8 17 Nxf6+
QXf6 18 Qdl Qe6, threatening to take the
c4 pawn or penetrate with the queen to el.
The attempt to provoke ... c5 by 16 Be3
134

125 Selected Games
fails to achieve its aim after 16 ... Nh,5
17 g4 Qh4 18 gXh5 dXc3, when Black's
position is better.
16 ... Qa5
17 BXf6 BXf6
18 Ne4 Bg7
19 Qf3 Rab8
It is useful to provoke b2-b3, so as to
restrict any possible action by the opponent
involving Ra3.
20 b3 Rfe8
Black's advantage has become apparent.
He has secure control of the open e-file, and
also a passed pawn in the centre. If 21 Nf6+,
then 21 ... BXf6 22 Qxf6 c5, followed by
the doubling of rooks on the e-file, while 21
Nd6 fails to 21 ... Rel+ 22 RXel QXel +
23Kh2Be5+.
21 Ng3 c5
22 Ne4 Rb6
23 g4 Rbe6
24Ng3 Qa3
Before taking any active measures, Black
strengthens his position to the maximum.
He avoids the win of a pawn by 24 ... Rel +
25 RXel RXel + 26 Kg2 QXa2, since after
27 Qa8+ Bf8 28 Rf3 White gains counter-
chances.
25Rd2 a5
26 Radl Bh6
27 Rc2 Qb4
28Kg2
28 Re2 can be met by 28 ... Qc3!, with
the possible variations:
a) 29QXc3dXc3 30Rc2Rel+ 31 RXel
RXel+ 32Kg2Rcl.
b) 29 Kg2 RXe2 30 NXe2 Qc2 31 Ng3
Re3 32 Qa8+ Kg7 33 Rfl Bf4.
c) 29 RXe6 Qxf3 30 RXe8+ Kg7 31
Reel Bf4, with an attack.
d) 29 Rd3 Qal+ 30 Kg2 RXe2 31 NXe2
QXa2 32 Ng3 Re3 33 RXe3 dXe3, and
White is lost.
28 ... Bg5
29Rd3
If 29 Re2, then 29 ... RXe2 30 NXe2
Qa3 31 Ng3 QXa2 32 Ne4 Be7 33 Rel Rf8
34 Ng3 Bh4, and Black keeps his extra
material, e.g. 35 Re5 a4 36 RXc5 (or 36
bxa4 BXgS 37 QXg3 QXc4) 36 ... aXb3
37 Rb5 b2 38 Qb3 Qxb3 39 Rxb3 Rc8 40
RXb2 RXc4, with good prospects in the
ending.
29 ... Bh4
30 Nfl Kg7
31 Rcd2 Qb8!
The queen switches to the K-side, and an
attack on the king becomes imminent.
32 Ng3 Rf 6
33 Qdl Qb7+
Black avoided the tempting 33 ... Re3
because of 34 Nf5+! gXf5 35 fXe3 Qg3 +
36 Khl dXe3 37 Rg2 Qxh3+ 38 Rh2 Qg3
39 Rg2, when White can hold on.
34Kh2
34 Rf3 is bad because of 34 ... Rel.
34 ... Qc7
35 Kg2 Qc6+
36 Kh2 BXg3+
37 RXg3 Qe4
38 Rgd3 Re5
135

Games 64, 6S&66
39Rc2
40Rcd2
41 hXg4
h5!
hXg4
Not 41 QXg4, in view of 41 ... RXf2+
42 RXf2 QXd3.
The game was adjourned in this position,
and analysis showed Black's advantage to be
sufficient to win.
41
g5
The sealed move, threatening to switch the
rook along the sixth rank.
42Rh3
43Qc2
Ree6!
In the event of 43 Kgl Rh6 44 Rdd3 f5!
45 gXf5 g4 Black gains an irresistible attack,
e.g.:
a) 46 fxe6 RXh3 47 Rxh3 gXh3 48 Qfl
Qg4+ 49 Kh2 d3, and the threat of
... Qg2+ is decisive.
b) 46 RXh6 RXh6 47 f3 gxf3 48 Qxf3
Qel+ 49Kg2Qhl + .
c) 46 Rdg3 Qel+ 47 Qxel Rxel +
48 Kg2 Rxh3 49 RXg4+ Kf7 50 KXh3
d3!, and the pawn queens.
43...
44Rg3
45Kg2
Qf4+
Rel
Forced, in view of the threats of... Rh6+
and ... Rhl. But now Black decides matters
by a spectacular stroke.
45 ...
White resigns.
Re3!
Taking the rook with the pawn allows mate
in three moves, while on 46 Qdl there follows
46 ... RXg3+ 47 fxg3 Qe4+ 48 Kgl Rf3.
No. 65 Sicilian Defence
Smyslov-Schweber
Leipzig Olympiad, I960
le4
2Nf3
3d4
4NXd4
5Nc3
6Be2
c5
d6
cXd4
Nf6
a6
e5
A very popular system of development.
Black obtains a firm position in the centre,
and the weakness of d5 is not easily
exploited.
7Nb3
80-0
9Be3
10 f4
11 Bxf4
12Khl
Be7
0-0
Be6
eXf4
Nc6
b5
The opening has developed along familiar
lines, but Black's last move cannot be
approved, since the advance of the b-pawn
allows White to take the initiative. 12 ...
Rc8 was better.
13Nd4
Nxd4
If 13 ... Rc8, then 14 NXe6 fXe6 15
Bg4 NXg4 16 QXg4 Qd7 17 Nd5 Bd8
18 Bg3, with an attacking position for White.
14QXd4
15 a4!
Rc8
136

125 Selected Games
24...
25BXd6
QXe7
Qe8
By this active continuation White opens
the a-file for his rook, and exposes the
opponent's Q-side pawn weaknesses.
15 ...
16 axb5
17NXe2
18Nc3
19Qd3
Bc4
BXe2
axb5
Rc4
With the open a-file and the freer game,
White has an undisputed advantage. In
addition, it is difficult for Black to hold the weak
pawns at b5 and d6.
19 ...
20 b3
21Be3
22Ra7
23Bf4
Qd7
Rc5
Rh5
Qe8
b4
24 Rxe7!
The beginning of some interesting tactical
complications, which demanded of White
exact calculation.
25 ... Qd8 26 BXf8 Qxf8 27 Ne2 Re5
28 Ng3 Qe8 29 Rf4 is more tenacious,
although even then White, with his extra pawn,
is close to a win. After the move played Black
can answer 26 Bxf8 with 26 ... bXc3,
maintaining his attack on the e4 pawn. But
White has another move at his disposal.
26 BXb4!
Not fearing 26 ... Qe5, since after 27 Bd6!
RXh2+ 28 Kgl White wins a piece.
26 ... Ng4
27 h3 Qb8
28Bd6
This bishop displays a staggering capacity
for work: it maintains the attack on the enemy
rook, and at the same time manages to come
to the help of its king.
28 ... Qb6
29 Bxf8 Kxf8
30Qd7
Black's position is hopeless. Apart from
two extra pawns, White also has a strong
attack. The conclusion was:
30 ... Nf 6
31 Qc8+ Ne8
32 Nd5 Qd6
33 c4 h6
34 c5 Qe5
35Nf4
No. 66 Sicilian Defence
Smyslov-Korchnoi
28th USSR Championship, Moscow, 1961
lc4
2Nf3
3d4
4NXd4
5e4
c5
Nc6
cXd4
g6
137

Games 66 & 67
The opening has developed into one of the
familiar variations of the Sicilian Defence.
White adopts the Maroczy bind, with pawns
at c4 and e4 and an outpost for his knight at
d5. This promises him a sound position in the
centre and good prospects of an attack on the
K-side.
5 ...
6Nc3
7QXd4
8Be2
9 0-0
10Qd3
Nf6
NXd4
d6
Bg7
0-0
Be6
Preferable was 10 ... Nd7, with the idea of
transferring the knight to c5, for example:
11 Bd2 Nc5 12 Qe3 a5 13 f4 Bd7 followed
by 14 ... Bc6. With his bishop at e6, Black's
counter-play is insufficiently effective.
HBd2
12 b3
13Qg3
14Khl
Nd7
Ne5
Nc6
Nd4
In order to reach d4 the knight has made a
lengthy journey, and in the meantime White
has prepared for action against the enemy
king.
15Bd3 Rc8
16 Radl a6
17 f4 b5
18 fS!
The pawn chains have advanced almost
simultaneously, but White's attack is the
more dangerous, since now the position of
the black king becomes exposed.
18
bXc4
On 18 ... Bd7 there would have followed
19 Nd5 Bc6 (19 ... e6 20/6!) 20 Be3 BXd5
21 eXd5, when the black knight is 'hanging'.
19 fXe6
20eXf7+
21Rxf7
22QXd3
cXd3
RXf7
Kxn
As a result of the exchanges the situation
has clarified to White's obvious advantage.
Black's a-pawn is attacked, and his king is
insecurely placed.
22 ..
Kg8
Black chooses the lesser evil, preferring to
part with a pawn immediately, rather than
subject his king to danger. 22 ... a5 could
have been met by 23 Qh3 Kg8 24 Bg5, with
the threats of BXe7 and Nd5.
23QXa6
24Qd3
Kh8
Having completed its successful operation,
the queen returns to its former post. Now
the connected passed pawns on the Q-side
give White a considerable advantage.
24...
25Rfl
26 Ne2!
Qa5
Rc6
Qc5
138

125 Selected Games
This loses immediately. Also inadequate
was 26 ... Qb5 27 Qxb5 NXb5 28 Rcl,
and after the exchange of rooks the passed
pawns are decisive.
27 Be3 Resigns.
If 27 ... e5, then 28 N X d4 e X d4 29 Rf8 +!
BXf8 30BXd4+.
No. 67 Vienna Game
SmysloT-Polugayevsky
19th USSR Championship, Baku 1961
le4 e5
2Nc3
This was the first time in my career that I
played the Vienna Game. My intention was to
employ an old and half-forgotten
continuation.
2 ... Nf 6
3g3
This plan of development was successfully
employed at the end of the last century by
Emanuel Lasker. 3 f4 d5 4 fXe5 NXe4
leads to well-studied positions, whereas now
the play takes on a quiet, manoeuvring
character.
3 ... d5
4eXd5 NXd5
5Bg2 Be6
Black fails to solve his opening problems
in the best way, and soon gets into difficulties.
To be preferred was 5 ... NXc3 6 bXc3
Bd6, with a perfectly satisfactory game.
6 Nf3 Nc6
7 0-0 Be7
8 Rel Bf6
Black has to waste time on this move, since
on 8 ... f6 there could have followed 9 d4
NXc3 10 bXc3 G-0 11 Qe2 Bd6 12 dXe5
fXe5 13 Ng5 Qd7 14 NXe6 QXe6 15 Qb5,
when White's pressure becomes appreciable.
9Ne4 0-0
10 d3 Be7
11 a3!
White prepares for activity on the Q-side,
and the time lost by Black with his bishop
begins to tell. If 11 ... a5, then 12 Ned2 Bf6
13 Nc4 Bg4 14 h3 Bxf3 15 QXf3, with
pressure on the hl-a8 diagonal.
11 ... Nb6
12 b4 Bg4
13 c3 a6
14 h3 Bh5
15Nc5
White's initiative is growing. His knight
has occupied a strong outpost at c5, and his
spatial gains on the flank will soon enable
him to mount an offensive over the entire
board.
In these difficult circumstances Poluga-
yevsky defends with great tenacity.
15 ...
16Bb2
17Qb3
18 d4
19Re3
20cXd4
21 QXe3
Rb8
Bd6
Nd7
Re8
eXd4
RXe3
139

Games 67 & 68
21
a5
Black strives to create counter-play. In the
event of 21 ... NXc5 22 dXc5 Bf8 White
retains the advantage by 23 g4 Bg6 24 Ne5
Nxe5 25 BXe5 f6 26 Bg3, when the threat of
27 Qf4 is highly unpleasant. If, for example,
26 ... b6, then 27 c6, and it is difficult for
Black to free himself.
22 b5
23Rel
24Qb3
Ne7
Nd5
N5f6
It is risky for Black to go in for the
complications of24 ... NXc525 dXc5 BXc5,since
after 26 Re5 Bxf3 27 Bxf3 c6 28 BXd5
cXd5 29 RXd5 White has dangerous threats
based on double attacks. E.g. 29 ... Qb6
30 Rf5! Rf8 31 Qc3, winning a piece.
25Nd3
26Nfe5
Nb6
a4
This pawn is now doomed, but what else
can be done against the threat of 27 Nf4?
By driving the queen from its active position,
Black parries the attack on his K-side, but at
the same time he is unable to maintain the
equilibrium on the other side of the board.
It is this that constitutes the strategic principle
of positional manoeuvring: a player who is
cramped is unable to regroup his forces in
time to parry the alternating threats.
28NXg6
29Nc5!
hXg6
It is now inevitable that Black will lose
material, and since he gains no compensation
in return, he is bound to lose.
29 ...
30QXa4
31Nd3
32Ne5
33Nc6
34Re5
35Qc4
36RXe8
37Ne5
Nbd5
b6
Bf8
Qd6
Re8
Ne7
Nf5
NXe8
Qe7
38NXH!
The quickest way. The knight cannot be
taken because of 39 Bd5, and Black's counter-
threats are easily parried.
38...
39Bfl
40Ne5+
41fXg3
42Khl
Qel +
NXg3
Kh7
QXg3+
Resigns.
No. 68 English Opening
Petrosian-Smyslov
USSR Team Championship, Moscow 1961
27Qc2
Bg6
lc4
2Nf3
3d3
Nf6
b6
140

125 Selected Games
A modest system of development. 3 d4 is
normally played, transposing into a variation
of the Queen's Indian Defence.
3...
4Nc3
5Bg5
6e3
7d4
8Bf4
c5
Nc6
e6
Be7
h6
Maintaining the threat of advancing the
d-pawn. On 8 Bh4 there could have followed
8 ... cXd4 9 exd4 0-0, when 10 d5 fails to
10 ... exd5 11 cXd5 12 NXd5 BXh4, with
an extra pawn for Black.
o • • •
9eXd4
10Bd3
110-0
12cXd5
13Qcl
cXd4
Bb4
0-0
d5
NXd5
This manoeuvre is quite in accordance
with the demands of the position. The
isolated d-pawn is often a weakness in the endgame,
but has an important role to play in the
middlegame. White's plan involves a possible
attack on the K-side.
13 ...
14bXc3
15Bd2
BXc3
Qf6
Bb7
Black successfully completes his
development, not fearing 16 Ng5, which he can
counter with 16 ... Nxc3! 17 Qxc3 hXg5,
or 17 Nh7 Ne2+ 18 Bxe2 Kxh7.
16Rel
Rac8
Now on 17 Ng5 there would have followed
17 ... Nxd4 18 Nh7 Nf3+ 19 gxf3 (or
19 Khl Qh4 20 gX/3 NXc3) 19 ... QXf3
20 Be4 Qg4+ 21 Khl f5 22 f3 Qh3 23 NXf8
fXe4 24 fxe4 Rxf8, when Black's attack
is irresistible. These variations indicate the
wealth of counter-attacking possibilities
inherent in the position.
17Re4
At first sight the transfer of the rook to g4
appears dangerous for Black, but he has the
possibility of an interesting combination,
which radically alters the situation.
17...
18Bbl
Ncb4
18 ...
RXc3!!
A spectacular sacrifice, by which Black
exploits the unfortunate placing of the white
pieces.
19 BXc3 Rc8
Now the idea of the counter-attack becomes
clear. White cannot maintain his material
advantage, since if 20 Re3, then 20 ... NXe3
21 QXe3 Nd5 22 Qd3 NXc3 23 Qh7+ Kf8
24 Ne5 Ne2+ 25 Kfl NXd4!, with
complications favourable for Black.
20Qel
21Re3
22Be4
NXc3
Nbd5
NXe4
Less good was 22 ... NXe3 23 Bxb7 Nc2
24 Qd2 NXal 25 BXc8 etc.
23 RXe4
Nb4!
141

Games 68 & 69
With the threat of 24 ... Nc2. This forces
White to make a counter-sacrifice, which,
however, fails to equalize.
24RXe6
25QXM
26 gXf3
27Qd6
28Kfl
fXe6
Bxf3
QXf3
Qg4+
Rc4
With an extra pawn and the better position,
Black is bound to win. 28 ... Qe4 29 Rel
Qhl + 30 Ke2 Rc2+ 31 Kd3 QXel was also
good enough, but he prefers to go into a rook
ending.
29 Rel Rxd4
30 QXe6+ QXe6
31 RXe6 Ra4
Here the rook occupies an active position.
In the subsequent play Black methodically
improves his position, with the prospect of
obtaining a passed b-pawn.
32Re2
33 f3
34Kf2
35Kg3
36 h3
37Kg2
38Kf2
39Kg2
40Kf2
41Kg2
White resigns.
Kf7
b5
Kf6
g5
h5
h4
Ra3
b4
a5
Rc3
On 42 Kf2 Black wins by 42 ... Rc5,
followed by the advance of his a- and b-
pawns, supported by the rook from b5.
No. 69 Benoni Defence
Smyslov-B
Uek
Chigorin Memorial Tournament, Sochi 1963
ld4
2e4
3Nf3
4d5
5Be2
g6
Bg7
c5
d6
Bg4
An unusual system of development. Black
wants to remove the knight at f3, so as to
then utilize the convenient central squares
e5 and d4 for his minor pieces.
6 a4 Nf6
7 Nc3 BXf3
8 Bxf3 0-0
9 0-O Ne8
10 h4
White begins active play on the K-side.
His plans include the advance of the h-pawn,
opening the file for the attack, followed by
g2-g3 and Kg2.
10 ... e6?
After this very careless move, interesting
tactical complications commence. 10 ... Nd7
was better.
11 dxe6
12 e5!
fXe6
142

125 Selected Games
This pawn sacrifice is the prelude to a
deeply-calculated combination. It is unfavourable
to reply 12 ... BXe5 13 Bxb7 QXh4 14 g3
BXg315fXg3QXg3+ 16 Bg2, or 12 ... Nc6
13 BXc6 bxc6 14 Bg5 Qc7 15 eXd6 Nxd6
16 Qe2, when White's superiority is indisput-
ed.
12 ... d5
13Bg5
This prepares the sacrifice on d5, destroying
Black's central pawn barrier. On 13 ... Qd7
there follows 14 NXd5 Rxf3 (or 14 ... eXd5
15 Qxd5+ Rf7 16 e6 QXd5 17 BXd5 Rc7
18 Bd8 Nc6 19 e7+ Kh8 20 BXc7 NXc7
21 BXc6 bXc6 22 Radl Nd5 23 Rfel Re8
24 c4, with the advantage in the ending)
15 Ne7+ Kh8 16 Qxf3. The immediate
13 Nxd5 is refuted by 13 ... Rxf3! 14
Nf6+ Bxf6, when the black queen is
defended.
13 ... Qb6
14 NXd5!
This knight sacrifice is perfectly correct.
Now the terrible diagonal is opened for the
white-squared bishop, and its 'X-ray' action
(through the b7 pawn) on the rook at a8
begins to tell.
14... eXd5
15 a5!
An important intermediate move, the
significance of which soon becomes clear on
examining the subsequent variations.
15 ... Qa6
16QXd5+ Rf7
17 e6 RXf3
Forced, since 17... Rc7 is decisively met
by 18 Qd8 Qb5 19 c4. White regains with
interest the sacrificed material, and retains a
dangerous initiative.
18 QXf3 QXe6
19 Rfel
There is no slowing down of the attack.
Now interesting variations arise after 19 ...
Qc6 20 a6!, e.g. 20 ... bxa6 21 RXe8+
QXe8 22 QXa8, or 20 ... Nd6 21 Re6 Bf8
22 Rxd6 BXd6 23 aXb7, and the pawn
queens.
On 19 ... Qc8 there can follow 20 Re7
Nc6 21 Qf7+ Kh8 22 Rael NXe7 23 RXe7
Qd8 24 Bh6 Qdl + 25 Kh2 Qd6+ 26 g3, and
wins.
Black has nothing better than to offer the
exchange of queens, and to go into a difficult
ending.
19 ... Qf7
20QXf7+ Kxf7
21 Re7+ Kf8
22RXb7
After the stormy middlegame, an ending
has been reached which is favourable for
White. He has two pawns plus an active rook
on the seventh rank against Black's two
knights.
22 ... Nc6
23 c3 Kg8
24 a6!
The mobility of the enemy pieces is
gradually restricted. By fixing the pawn at a7,
White wants to tie Black's forces to the
defence of his isolated pawns on the Q-side.
24 ... Bf8
25 Rdl h6
26 Bf4 Nd8
143

Games 69, 70 & 71
27 M!
The threat to capture the rook turns out to
be illusory, since after 27 ... NXb7 28 aXb7
the b8 square is controlled by the bishop.
Meanwhile, White forces the victorious
advance of his pawns.
27 ...
28hXgS
29Bg3
30 b5
31 Bxf4
32 Rdd7
33RXa7
34RXd6
g5
hxg5
Nc6
Nf4
gXf4
Nd6
Re8
The simplest. Now there is no way of
halting the pawns, and further resistance
soon becomes hopeless.
34 ... BXd6
35Rd7 Bb8
Or 35 ... Be5 36 a7 BXc3 37 b6.
36 a7 BXa7
37RXa7 Rel +
38 Kh2 Rbl
39 c4 Rb4
40 Re 7 Resigns
No. 70 Ragozin Defence
SmysloT-Antoshin
Chigorin Memorial Tournament, Sochi 1963
lc4 Nf6
2Nc3 e6
3Nf3 d5
4d4 Bb4
By transposition of moves a position typical
of the Ragozin Defence has been reached. It is
well known that 5 Qa4+ Nc6 6 Ne5 does
not achieve anything after 6 ... Bd7, so
White chooses a quiet plan of development.
5cXd5 eXd5
6Bg5 h6
7 BXf6 QXf6
8 Qb3 Qd6
9a3 Ba5
10Qb5+
Played with the aim of disrupting the
normal development of Black's Q-side, and
preventing ... c6.
10 ... Nc6
11 e3 a6
12 Qb3 0-0
13Bd3 Bg4
The initial cause of Black's subsequent
difficulties. The threat of doubling White's
pawns proves to be groundless, since he
gains good attacking chances on the g-file.
Better was 13 ... Ne7 14 0-0 c6 15 Na4 Bc7
16 Nb6 Rb8 17 NXc8 RfXc8, with a
reasonable game for Black.
14 0-0 BXc3
15bXc3 Bxf3
16 gXf3 b6
16 ... Na5 did not appeal to Black,
because of 17 Qb4 QXb4 18 aXb4 Nc4 19
144

125 Selected Games
BXc4 dXc4 20 Ra5, when White sta:
better. But now White begins an attack
the K-side.
17 Khl Na5
18Qa2 c5
19Rgl cXd4
20 cXd4 Rfc8
21 Rg3 Rc3
22Ragl!
The tempo of the attack accelerates. White
leaves his bishop en prise, being prepared to
meet 22 ... Rxd3 with the fine variation
23 RXg7+ Kh8 24 Qbl! QXa3 25 QXb6,
with the irresistible threat of Qxh6 mate.
Also not possible is 22 ... g6, because of the
obvious reply 23 BXg6.
22... g5
23 Qe2 Nb3
An interesting attempt to gain counter-
play. On 23 ... QXa3 there could have
followed 24 f4 RXd3 25 fXg5, exploiting
the diversion of the enemy pieces to open up
the approaches to the black king. For
example: 25 ... Kf8 26 gXb.6 Ke7 27 h7 Rh8
28 Qh5 Qd6 29 Rg8, and White wins.
24 Bbl Ncl
25 Qdl QXa3
26 f4 Qb2
27Qh5!
The culminating point of the attack. On
27 ... Qxbl there follows 28 QXh6, while if
27 ... Ne2, then 28 QXh6 NXg3+ 29
hXg3, with the threat of 30 Bh7+, e.g. 29 ...
Ra7 30 Bh7+ Kh8 31 Kg2 Rcl 32 RXcl
QXcl 33 Be4+ Kg8 34 f5 dXe4 35 f6, with
inevitable mate.
27 ... Rc6
28fXg5 QXbl
29gXh6+
An accurately calculated finish. After
29 ... Rg6 30 RXg6+ fXg6 31 Qxd5+
Kh7 32 QXa8 White remains with a big
material advantage.
29 ... Kh8
30QXH Qh7
31 Rg7 Resigns.
No. 71 English Opening
Stahlberg-Smyslov
Stockholm, 1963^f
lc4 e5
2Nc3 d6
3d4 eXd4
This exchange relieves the tension in the
centre, but promises Black satisfactory piece
play.
145

Games 71 & 72
4QXd4
5Qd2
6b3
7Bb2
8g3
9Bg2
10Nf3!
Nc6
g6
Bg7
Nf6
0-0
Ne5
Correctly played. 10 Nh3 is weaker,
because of 10 ... a5 11 0-0 a4 12 NXa4
NXc413bXc4RXa4, with good chances for
Black.
10...
HBxfi
12 0-0
13 Rfdl
14Bhl
NXf3+
Rb8
Bh3
Nd7
Re8
Both sides have completed their
development, and are ready for action. White has an
outpost at d5, while Black's chances are on
the K-side.
15Nd5
16 f4
Ne5
A double-edged continuation, since now
the position of the white king is weakened.
Black's reply leads to interesting
complications.
16
c6!
17 fXe5
18BXd5
cXd5
18 eXd6 promises no advantage after
18 ... BXb2 19 QXb2 QXd6 20 Rxd5
Qb6+ 21 c5 Qb5 22 Bf3 Be6 23 Re5 f6, when
White cannot hold his c5 pawn.
18 ...
19BXe5
20 e4?
BXe5
RXe5
A poor move, since now White's bishop is
restricted by his own pawns, and cannot take
part in the defence of his king. Stronger was
20 Bf3, when Black was intending 20 ... Re6,
not fearing 21 c5 Qf6 22 cXd6 Rd8, when
White's passed pawn is lost.
20 ... Qe7
21Qf2 b6
22 Rd4 Kg7
23Qd2 h5
24 Bc6 h4!
For the sake of a direct attack on the king,
Black is ready to sacrifice a pawn. His rook
occupies a key post in the centre, and White's
chances on the open d-file are slight.
25RXd6 hXg3
26hXg3 Rh8
27 c5
White returns the pawn, but is unable to
delay the opponent's offensive.
27... bxc5
28Rel Be6
29Rd3
29 .
c4
146

125 Selected Games
With the threat of 30 ... Qc5 + . The
advance of the c-pawn disrupts White's defences.
30Rd6
31Qd4
32QXc3
33KT1
34Kf2
c3!
Qg5
Qh5
Bg4
There is nothing better. The king sets off
on a long and dangerous journey.
34 ...
35Ke3
36Kd4
37Kc4
38Qd2
39 KM
40Ka3
Qh2+
QXg3+
Qf4
Rh3
Be6+
Qg3
White's king would appear to have found a
safe shelter on the other side of the board,
but here too he is overtaken by an
unexpected blow. However, after other replies his
game is equally lost.
40...
White resigns.
BXb3!
No. 72 Sicilian Defence
Smyslov-Gligoric
Amsterdam Interzonal, 1964
le4
2Nf3
3Qe2
c5
e6
This development of the queen recalls the
games of Chigorin, whose style was
distinguished by its deep originality. In the present
game I wanted to escape from the thoroughly
studied modern variations into the almost
forgotten past.
3 ...
4g3
5Bg2
Nc6
Nf6
d5
Also to be considered was the more
reserved 5 ... d6 and 6 ... Be7.
6d3
70-0
8e5
9c4!
Be7
0-0
Nd7
This undermining of the opposing pawn
centre is a good plan, demanding careful
play of Black.
9 ... d4
A debatable decision, since now White's
pieces gain the e4square. 9 ... dXc410dXc4
Qc7 11 Bf4 Rd8 12 Nc3 Nf8 looks better,
retaining the possibility of ... Nd4.
10 h4
HRel
12Nbd2
13 h5
Re8
Nf8
Bd7
h6
Black, of course, did not want to allow the
advance of the white pawn to h6, with the
consequent weakening of his black squares.
14Nh2
15Ng4
Nh7
f5
It is essential for Black to clarify the
situation, since the storm clouds have gathered
over his king position, and after 16 Ne4 the
sacrifice of a piece at h6 would be imminent.
16 exf6
17 NXf6+
18Ne4
19 f4
20Rfl
21 BXf4
22Rael
NXf6
Bxf6
Be7
e5
exf4
Bf8
Kb8
22 ... Ne5 fails to 23 Bxh6 gXh6 24
Nf6+.
23 Qd2 Re6
24Re2
147

Games 72 & 73
The middlegame has turned out favourably
for White. Avoiding unnecessary exchanges,
he now doubles rooks on the f-file under the
cover of his minor pieces. It becomes more
and more difficult for Black to parry the
threats.
24 ... Qe8
25 Ref2 Be7
If25 ... QXh5,then26BXh6Be727Bg5!,
with a dangerous attack. By the move played
Gligoric agrees to sacrifice the exchange, so as
to thereby restrain White's offensive, and
attempt to change the unfavourable course of
events.
26 Bh3 Rxe4
26 ... QXh5 fails to 27 Bxe6 BXe6
28 Rh2 followed by 29 Bxh6.
27BXd7
28dXe4
29 e5!
QXd7
Qe6
Opening the bl-h7 diagonal for the queen.
The c4 pawn is immune (because of Bxh6).
29 ...
30Qd3
31 b3
32Qe4
33Kg2
34 a4
35 Qg6!
Kg8
Bf8
Re8
RdS
a6
Be7
After the exchange of queens he gains the
opportunity to invade with his rooks on the
f-file.
35... QXg6
36 hxg6 Re8
37 g4 Bb4
38Bg3 BXg3
39 KXg3 Ne7
40Rf7 b6
41 e6
The sealed move. Analysis showed that
Black would be unable to restrain the
offensive power of the enemy rooks on the seventh
rank.
41 ... NXg6
42Rb7 Rxe6
43Rff7 a5
No better is 43 ... Re3+ 44 Kf2 Ne5 45
RXg7+ Kf846 Rh7 NXg4+ (or 46 ... Kg8
47 Rhc7 NXg4+ 48 Kg2 Nf6 49 Rxb6) 47
Kg2, and White wins.
44RXg7+
45Rh7
46Rhc7
47Rg7+!
48Rge7
49Rb8
50Ree8
51 Re2!
Kf8
Kg8
Nf8
Kh8
Rd6
Eg8
Rf6
White has systematically strengthened his
position, and now takes decisive action.
With the exchange of a pair of rooks,
White's task is simplified.
148

125 Selected Games
51 ... Kg7
52 Rb7+ RT7
Or 52 ... Kg6 53 Rf2, achieving the
exchange of rooks and winning the b6 pawn.
53 Hee7 HXe7
54RXe7+ Kf6
55 Rb7 Ke5
56Kf3 Ne6
57 Rxb6 Ng5+
58 Ke2 Ke4
59RXh6
Black's position is lost. White has a
significant material advantage, and the
opponent's threats are easily parried.
59...
60Kd2
61Kc3
62Kc2
63Kdl
64Rh5
65Re5
66RXe4
d3+
Nf3+
d2
Ke3
Ng5
Ne4
Kd3
Resigns.
No. 73 Pirc Defence
Wade-Smyslov
Capablanca Memorial Tournament,
Havana 1965
By transposition of moves we have reached
the Pirc Defence, which usually leads to
interesting and lively play.
4Be2 Bg7
5h4 h5
6Nh3
White employs an original plan of
development. His intensions include transferring
his knight to g5 and beginning active play on
the K-side. Black must think in terms of
counter-play in the centre, by exerting
pressure on d4.
6 ... Nc6
7Ng5 0-0
The immediate 7 ... e5 is not good
because of 8 dxe5 Nxe5 9 f4Neg4 10 e5!
8Be3 e5
Now this advance is perfectly opportune,
and promises Black good counter-play.
9 d5 Nd4!
A typical manoeuvre in such positions.
At the cost of a pawn Black opens the al-h8
diagonal, after which his bishop at g7
becomes a formidable force.
10BXd4 eXd4
11 QXd4 c6
12dXc6 bXc6
13 0-0 Nd5
14Qc4
Black has acquired good attacking chances.
In the event of 15 Bf3 Rb8 16 Rabl {16 b3
Qa5) 16 ... Rb6 17 Rfdl Ba6 18 Qa4 Be5
19 g3 Qf6! he has a dangerous initiative,
since 20 gXf* fails to 20 ... QXf4,
threatening mate.
15 QXc6?
Capturing this pawn is undoubtedly
incorrect. The subsequent events are forced.
Ie4
2Nc3
3d4
Nf6
d6
g6
14
Nf4!
140

Games 73 & 74
15 ...
16Bf3
BXc3
One gains the impression that White has
sufficient counter-play: Black has a bishop
and rook en prise. But this impression is
deceptive.
16 ...
17QXa8
18RXal
BXb2
BXal
Qb6!
A very strong manoeuvre. Now the white
queen finds itself in a trap, and loss of
material is inevitable.
19 e5
20 g3
If 20 Bxd5, then 20 .
wins a piece.
20 ...
21 QXf8+
22 BXg4
23gXf4
d5
.. Be6, and Black
Bg4
KXf8
hXg4
■ ... JHH
r f
■i'j
mt
Xr«p
M iH!
Black has won material, but considerable
efforts are still required to realize this
advantage, since the knight occupies a strong
post at g5.
23
Qb4!
Carefully played—Black must not allow
24Rbl.
24Kg2
25Rel
QXf4
Ke8!
Black parries the threat of 26 e6, on which
there follows 26 ... f6 27 Nf7 Ke7 etc.
Weaker is 25 ... Ke7 26 Rbl! QXe5 27
Rb7+ Ke8 28 RXf7, when the rook becomes
very active.
26Re3
27RXg3
28 c3
g3
QXh4
Ke7
Now that his knight has been deprived of
its strong point, White can hardly hope for
any counter-chances. If 29 Nf3, then 29 ...
Qe4.
29 Kgl Qf4
30Nh7 a5
31 Nf6 QXeS
White resigns, since after 32 Re3 Kxf6
Black's extra pawn gives him an easy win in
the pawn ending.
No. 74 English Opening
Botvinnik-Smyslov
Trades Union Team Championship,
Moscow 1965
lc4
2Nc3
3g3
e5
Nf6
Bb4
The first time 1 employed this interesting
system of development was in my game with
Olafsson in 1959 (No. 62). Subsequent practice
150

125 Selected Garnet.
has shown that Black has a perfectly
reasonable game.
4Bg2 0-0
5d3 Nc6
6Bd2 Re8
7 e4 Nd4
Perhaps the most logical here is 7 ... Bc5,
establishing control over d4, when 8 a3 can
be answered by 8 ... aS.
8a3 Bc5
Black provokes the opponent into taking
positive action.
9b4] Bf8
10Nge2 Nxe2
11 NXe2
On 11 QXe2 there could have followed
11 ...g6l2 0-OBg7,andifl3f4,thenl3 ...
exf4 14 gxf4 d5! 15 cXd5 NXd5, with a
free game for Black.
11 ... c6
120-0 d5
13eXd5 cxd5
14BgS
At first sight this pin appears unpleasant.
Unfavourable, for example, is 14 ... dXc4
15 dXc4, or 14 ... d4 15 f4, with a clear
initiative for White.
14 ... Be6!
Black is not afraid of the doubled pawns
on the f-file, since he reckons on gaining
counter-play.
15cxd5 Bxd5
16 BXf6 gXf6
17Bxd5 Qxd5
18 Nc3 Qe6
19 Qf3 Rad8
White's plan is to establish his knight at e4.
But Black has succeeded in completely
mobilizing his forces, and now intends to
attack the d3 pawn by doubling rooks. In the
coming battle his chances are no worse.
20 Rfdl b6
21 g4 Bh6
22Qf5
In the event of 22 Ne4 Bf4 Black threatens
to double rooks on the d-file, and also to
play ... f5, with a positional advantage.
22 ... Rd4
23Ne4 Qxf5
24 gXf5 Red8
25Kfl!
A subtle evaluation of the endgame. Bad is
25 N Xf6 -I- Kf8, when Black plays his king to
e7 and gains the advantage.
25... RXd3
26 Ke2 Rd4!
The exchange of all the rooks would be
premature.
27 RXd4 RXd4
28 f3 Bf4
29 Rgl +
This check merely helps Black to improve
his position. 29 h3 was preferable, so as to
answer 29 ... Kg7 with 30 Rgl -I- Kh6 (or
30 ... Kf8 31 Rdl) 31 Rg4 b5 32 Nxf6
Rd2+ 33 Kel Rd6 34 Ne4 Ra6 35 f6 RXa3
36 Nd6 Kh5 37 Nf5, when White gives
perpetual check with his knight at g7 and f5.
151

Games 74&75
29 ... Kf8
30b3 b5
31Rdl
Now that White's a- and b-pawns have
been fixed on black squares, the exchange of
rooks does not get him out of his difficulties.
In the battle with the passed pawns, the bishop
proves to be a more effective piece than the
white knight. Even so, given exact defence by
White, he could still have hoped to save the
game.
31 ... RXdl
32 KXdl Kg7
33Nc3
Or 33 Nd6 a6 34 Ne8+ Kh6, and now:
a) 35 Nc7 Kg5 36 NXa6 Kh4 37 Nc7
Kxh3 38 Nxb5 h5, and the advance of
the h-pawn wins for Black.
b) 35 NXf6! Kg5 36 Nxh7+ KXf5 37
Nf8 e4 38 Nd7 eXf3 39 Kel Ke4 40
Nc5+ Kd5 41 Nxa6 Bel 42 h4 BXa3
43 h5, and White gains a draw.
33 ... a6
34Ne4
After this White is unable to avoid defeat.
Stronger was 34 Nd5!, so as to answer
34 ... Kh6 with35 Nxf6Kg536 Nxh7+, as
in the variation given in the previous note.
34 ... Be3
The bishop switches to a better position,
simultaneously preventing 35 Nc5, when
35 ... Bxc5 36 bxc5 Kf8 gives Black a won
pawn ending.
35Kc2 Bd4
36Nd6 Kb6
The decisive phase commences. Black's
king sets off to win the enemy pawns.
37 Ne4 Kh5
38 NXf6+ Kg5
39 NXh7+ KXf5
40 h4 Be3
With the idea of isolating the knight by
41 ... Bh6.
41Nf8
After sealing this move, White resigned
without resuming.
Indeed, after 41 ... Kf4 42 Nd7 Bd4 43 h5
(or 43 Nf6 KX/3 44 Kd3 Kf4 45 Nd5+ Kg4
46 Nc7f5 47 NXa6 f4 48 Nc7 f3 49 NXb5
Kh3 and ... f2) 43 ... KXf3 44 Kd3 f5 45
h6 Bal 46 h7 e4+ the passed pawns decide
the issue.
No. 75 Slav Defence
Bolbochan-Smyslov
Mar-del-Plata, 1966
ld4 d5
2c4 c6
3 Nf 3 Nf 6
4 Nc3 dxc4
5 a4 Na6
An original plan of development. The
idea of playing the knight to a6 was first tried
by Emanuel Lasker in a game with Verlinsky
(Moscow, 1925). However, Lasker only
employed this continuation when his bishop
was already at f5, controlling e4 and not
allowing the seizure of the centre by e2-e4.
This is a fundamental distinction in the
handling of the given opening system.
152

125 Selected Games
6e3
7BXC4
80-0
be
e6
Little is promised by 8 Bxa6 bXa6, when
the b-flle is opened for Black.
8 ...
9Qe2
lORdl
11 h3
12Bb3
Nb4
Be7
0-0
Bb5
Averting the possible threat (after 12 e4)
of 12 ... Bxf3 13 QXf3 Nc2.
12
c5
A very important move. When Black
succeeds in playing it without hindrance, he
can regard his opening problems as solved.
He gains counter-play on the Q-side, where
he has a secure position.
13dXc5
14 e4
15 e5
16Ne4
Qa5
BXc5
Nfd5
White is aiming for a complicated game,
but in avoiding exchanges he overrates his
chances. He should have thought of relieving
the situation by 16 NXd5 NXd5 17 BXd5
exd5 18 Be3, since in the manoeuvring
battle which now follows the advantage is
with Black, who has no weak points.
16...
17Bd2
18Ng3
19 h4
20 bS
21Qc4
Be7
Rfd8
Bg6
h6
Bh7
With the obvious aim of transferring the
queen to the good square g4. But Black has a
sound defensive position: his knights are
comfortably deployed in the centre, and are
ready either to attack, or, in case of necessity,
to defend their king.
21 ...
22Qg4
23 Racl
24RXcl
Rac8
Kh8
RXcl
Qb6
With the threat of 25 ... Nd3, which
forces White to seek simplification.
25Bxd5
26Qd4
NXd5
Qb3
Black temporarily avoids going into the
endgame, so as to exchange queens at the
most favourable moment.
27QXa7
28Qd4
29 NXd4
QXb2
QXd4
Ba3!
The initiative is with Black, whose bishops
have become very active in an open position.
Now the white rook has no good square on
the c-file {30 Rc4 is met by 30 ... Bd3), and is
forced to abandon it.
30Rel
31Bc3
32Re2
33Nb5
Nb4
Nd3
Bc5
b6
An important move, preparing an attack
on the a4 pawn.
34Rd2
35 Ra2
Ra8
i«

Games 75 & 76
35 ...
NXf2!
This combinational solution is the most
effective way for Black to develop his attack.
For his two minor pieces he gains more than
adequate compensation. He holds the enemy
rook in a pin, and in the meantime picks up a
second pawn.
36RXf2
37Nd6
38 Bel
RXa4
Rf4
Bd3
All Black's pieces are taking an active part
in the game. Now he stops the knight going
to e2, and prepares the victorious advance
of his b-pawn.
39Nfl
40 g3
41Kg2
42KXf2
Kg8
Ra4
BXf2
The king hurries over to the Q-side. In the
resulting ending White's defence is difficult,
since his e- and h-pawns are excellent targets
for attack.
42 ...
43Nd2
44Ke3
4SKd4
46N2c4
47Kc5
48Kc6
b5
b4
Ra3
Bc2
Rd3+
b3
This activity on White's part is forced. He
cannot blockade the passed pawn, since 48
KM is met by 48 ... b2 49 Nxb2 Rb3+,
winning a piece.
48 ... Re3!
An effective manoeuvre: after 49 NXe3 b2
50 N Xc2 bl = Q the pawn queens, and one of
the minor pieces is lost.
49Bd2
If49Bf2,then49 ... Rxe5.
49 ...
White resigns.
RXg3
After 50 Kd7 Bdl 51 Ke7 Bxh5 White's
.-side resembles a desert.
No. 76 Nimzo-Indian Defence
Forintos-Smyslov
Monte Carlo,
ld4
2c4
3Nc3
4f3
1967
Nf6
e6
Bb4
A rarely-played continuation, which in the
present game soon transposes into the normal
line of the Samisch Variation.
4 ...
5a3
6bXc3
7cXd5
8dXc5
d5
BXc3+
c5
NXd5
Qa5
The alternative here is 8 ... fS, aiming to
maintain the knight in its central position.
The move in the game appeals to me more.
9e4
Ne7
The retreat of the knight to c7 should be
considered. Somewhat later, in a tournament
in Moscow the same year, my game with the
Soviet master Ageichenko went 9 ... Nc7
154

125 Selected Games
10 Qd4 f6 11 Bc4 (// Qb4 Nc6\) 11 ... c5
12 Qd3 Be6 13 Rbl Nd7 14 BXe6 NXc5
15 Qc4 N7 Xe6 16 Ne2 b6, with a comfortable
game.
10Ne2
Played in the hope of 10 ... QXc5 11
Qd4, advantageously forcing the exchange of
queens in view of the attack on g7. But
preferable was 10 Be3 QXc3+ 11 Kf2, with
a good game for White.
10 ...
UQd6
12Be3
13Qg3
14Bg5
0-0
Nbc6
Rd8
e5
White has difficulties over the development
of his pieces, and so he seeks chances on the
K-side. On 14 Kf2 there could have followed
14 ... f5!, with the threat of 15 ... f4.
14 ...
15 h4
16 h5
17 BXe7+
18QXe5
19Qh2
Rd3!
KfS
h6
NXe7
Nc6
QXc5
Instead of prosaically going into the
ending by 20 ... RXc3 21 QXc5-f RXc5,
Black retains his queen for the attack.
White's K-side activity has been neutralized,
while his king is stuck in the centre, and is
unable to find a safe refuge. For the sacrificed
pawn Black has gained a lead in development
and a serious initiative.
21Kf2
22Qh2
23Kg3
24Kf2
25Kg3
26Qh4
Be6
Qc5+
Q&S+
Qe3+
Ne5
The threat was 26 ... NXf3, and 26 Nd4
fails to 26 ... Qg5+ 27 Kf2 Ng4+ 28 fXg4
Qe3 mate.
26.
Ng4!
This knight manoeuvre involves a
combinational continuation of the attack. On 27 Nf4
there follows 27 ... Qf2+ 28 Kh3 Rxf3 +
29 gXf3 QXf3+ 30 Qg3 Qxhl +, and mate
next move.
27Nd4
28cxd4
29Kf4
RXd4!
Qf2+
If 29 Kh3, then 29 ... Ne3 + 30 g4 QXf3 +
31 Kh2 NXg4-f 32 Kgl Qe3+ 33 Kg2
QXe4+ etc.
29.
Qd2+
Black repeats moves to gain time on the
clock.
20Qgl
Qa5
30Kg3
31 Kf4
Qf2 +
Qxd4
155

Games 76, 77 & 78
Now, in view of the threat of ... Qe5
mate, White is unable to save his rook.
32 f Xg4
33Ba6
34Be2
QXal
Qc3
34 Bxb7 or 34 Rdl both lose a piece after
34 ... Qc7 + .
34
QXa3
Black's attack has been successful: he is
a pawn up with the better position.
35 Rdl
36QXe7+
37Rbl
38 g5
39Kxg5
Qe7
KXe7
b6
hXg5 +
a5!
A bold plan: Black gives up a pawn, but
advances his passed a-pawn as swiftly as
possible.
40Rxb6
41 e5
42 Rb7+
43Rbl
44Ral
a4
a3
Kf8
a2
Ra4!
The concluding manoeuvre. The threat is
... Rb4-bl, and on 45 Bd3 there follows
45 ... Rg4 mate.
45 h6
46Kxh6
47Bf3
gXh6+
Re4
No better is 47 Bd3 RXe5, when there is
no defence against the mate by 48 ... Bg4
and 49
Rh5.
47 ...
White resigns.
Rb4
No. 77 Catalan Opening
Smyslov-Petrosian
Moscow Team Championship, 1967
ld4
2c4
3g3
4Nd2
Nf6
e6
Bb4+
White more often plays 4 Bd2 Bxd2+
5 Qxd2, retaining the possibility of
developing the queen's knight on the good square c3.
But I wanted to avoid well known variations,
with a tendency towards simplification from
a very early stage.
4 ...
5dxc5
6Bg2
c5
BXc5
Nc6
Here or on the following move the
sacrifice 6 ... Bxf2+ 7 Kxf2 Ng4+ 8 Kel
Ne3 does not work, since after 9 Qb3 N X g2+
10 Kf2 the knight at g2 is lost.
7Nf3
80-0
9a3
b6
Bb7
0-0
Black allows White's Q-side activity, as
after 9 ... a5 10 Nb3 Be7 11 Bf4 he is behind
in development.
10 b4
HBb2
12 Qbl!
Be7
Rc8
MM
ft!
Wa wm..
156

125 Selected Games
This typical queen manoeuvre retains for
White his opening initiative. Now 12 ... aS
is refuted by 13 Ng5 g6 14 b5, winning a
piece.
12 ... h6
13 Rdl Qc7
14 Ne4 Nxe4
15 Qxe4 f5
16 Qg4 was threatened, and this ruled out
15 ... Nxb4.
23axb4
16Qd3
17 Racl
18Qb3
19 c5!
Rcd8
d6
Kh7
This pawn thrust at the strongest point
of Black's defences enlivens the game
considerably, and gives White good prospects of
an attack on the king.
19 ...
20QXe6
dXc5
Qc8!
A good defensive manoeuvre. Since the
ending after 20 Qxc8 Bxc8 does not bring
White any advantage, he prefers to retain
the queens.
21Qb3
22QXdl
RXdl+
cXb4?
This exchange leads to serious difficulties.
Better was 22 ... Qe6 23 bXc5 BXc5 24 e3
Na5, when Black can put up a stubborn
defence.
iti m m
HPA1P IP Hi
%3,r/ m,y mmv wm
23
Rd8
On 23 ... Bxb4 there would have followed
24 Rxc6, and now:
a) 24 ... BXc6 25 Qd4 Qd7 26 QXb4,
with the better chances thanks to the
weakened position of the black king.
b) 24 ... Rd8!, leading to rather more
complicated play: 25 Rxh6+! Kxh6 26
Qb3, and now 26 ... Qc5 27 Qf7 Rdl +
28 Bfl Bc3 29 Nh4 Qc6 30 Nxf5+ etc.,
or 26 ... Bf8 27 Qg8 Rdl+ 28 Bfl Bxf3
29 Bxg7+ BXg7 30 QXc8, when 30 ...
Bxe2 fails to 31 Qe6+. After other replies
White's attack is again very dangerous,
and must prove successful.
24Qb3
25Nh4!
BXM
This forces a quick finish. Now 25 ... Qd7
is met by 26 BXc6 BXc6 27 Qxb4 Qdl +
28Qel.
25 ... Bf8
26 Bh3 Resigns.
No. 78 Ujtelky Defence
Smyslov-Simagin
Moscow, 1967
1NB
2d4
3e4
g6
Bg7
a6
157

Games 78 & 79
This original plan of development was
proposed by the Czech master Ujtelky, and
was employed several times in the 1966
Petrosian-Spassky match. Practice has shown
that Black obtains a cramped but fairly solid
position. In the present game I did not seek
any forcing way to refute the opening, but
aimed mainly for rapid development.
4Bd3
50-0
6c3
7Nbd2
8Qb3
9Nxf3
10Bg5
11 Radl
13Rfel
(16
Bg4
Nd7
e6
Bxf3
Rb8
Ne7
0-0
The result of the opening is favourable for
White, who has retained a spatial advantage.
His pieces occupy good positions, and are
ready to repulse any attempt at activity on
Black's part.
12 ... h6
13 Bf4 g5
14 Bg3 Ng6
15 e5!
The start of a central offensive. Now the
bl-h7 diagonal is opened, and is destined to
play an important role in the attack on the
enemy king. The tactical justification of the
move lies in the variation 15 ... g4 16 eXd6!
cxd6 17 Nd2, when loss of material is
inevitable.
15 ... d5
16 Qc2 Nf4
It is difficult to recommend anything better,
but now, after the exchange at f4, the pawn
becomes a convenient target for attack. If
16 ... Qe8, then 17 h4 g4 18 Nh2 h5 19 f3
gXf3 20 Nxf3, opening lines for the attack.
17 Bxf4 gXf4
18 Re2 c5
19 Qd2 f6
20exf6 Qxf6
21 Rdel Rbe8
22 Bbl cxd4
23 cxd4 Rf7
Black's difficulties stem from his backward
pawn at e6 and the insecure position of his
king. He is condemned passively to await
events.
24 Qc2 Rfe7
After 24 ... Nf8 25 Ne5 Rfe7 26 Rcl
White gains the opportunity of playing
actively on the other side of the board.
25 Qh7+ Kf8
26 Bg6 Rc8
27 h4! Rc6
28 h5
While preventing Black's attempts to free
himself by ... e5, White increases still
further the pressure on the K-side. A pic-
158

125 Selected Games
turesque situation is reached, where Black
has no useful moves, but where, in order to
land a decisive blow, White has to free his
queen.
28 ... Rc4
29Bd3 Rc6
In the event of 29 ... Bh8 30 Qg6 QXg6 31
hXg6 Rc6 32 Bf5 the e6 pawn is lost.
30Bg6
31 a3!
32Bbl
Rc4
Rc6
Bh8
Now 32 ... Rc4 is met by 33 Ba2, and,
when the rook moves, 34 Bxd5.
33Qd3
Rg7
This is bad, but in any case Black's
position is very difficult. If 33 ... Qf7, then 34
Nh4, with the threat of 35 Ng6+.
34Qb3
Rb6
34 ... b5 is met by 35 a4, opening up the
Q-side.
35 Qc3 Rg8
This loses a piece, but after 35 ... Rc6
36 Qb4+ the b7 pawn is lost, and Black's
position collapses.
36Qc8+
Resigns.
No. 79 Bogoljubov Defence
Krogius-Smyslov
USSR Spartakiad, Moscow 1967
ld4
2c4
3Nf3
4Bd2
Nf6
e6
Bb4+
a5
Black avoids the normal 4 ... BXd2+,
since he is aiming for a more complicated
game. 4 ... a5 is a perfectly reasonable move,
and in the present game is associated with an
interesting plan of development.
5g3
6Bg2
7 0-0
d6
Nbd7
e5
Played at just the right time, this advance
gives Black good counter-play.
8e3
9QXd2
10Nc3
Bxd2
c6
e4
A well-founded positional continuation.
In the event of 11 Ng5 Black replies 11.. .d5.
HNh4
Nb6!
Now the exchanging operation in the centre
is inevitable, since 12 ... g5 is threatened.
12 NXe4
13 Bxe4
14Qe2
15Bd3
NXe4
Nxc4
dS
Nd6
Black can be satisfied with the results of
the opening. Exchanges favouring him have
taken place, and he has a free game. The pawn
chains remind one of the Carlsbad Variation
of the Queen's Gambit.
16Qh5
By preventing castling, White fights for
the initiative.
16 ...
17Rfel
18Racl
Qe7
Bc6
g6
159

Games 79 & 80
Black drives the queen from its active
position. He does not fear 19 Qh6, because
of 19 ... f5, and:
a) 20 NXg6 Nf7! 21 NXe7 NXh6 22
NXc6 bXc6 23 RXc6 Ke7, with a knight
for three pawns.
b) 20 NONf7 21 Qg7 (21 Qf4 g5l)21 ...
0-0-0, with the threat of 22 ... Rdg8.
19 Qdl 0-0
20Qc2 Rfc8
A useful manoeuvre, strengthening Black's
position on the Q-side.
21 Ng2 Bf5
An important exchange of bishops. Black
gains the opportunity to exploit the weakness
of the white squares in his opponent's
position.
22 Nf4 BXd3
23 NXd3 Re8
24 Nf4 Qf6
25 Rfl Re7
The time has come to take active measures
on the K-side, which now becomes the centre
of events.
26 Reel Rae8
27 b3 Ne4
The knight has taken up a splendid
position. On 28 Nd3 there can follow 28 ... Qf5!
(with the threat of 29 ... Ng5), when 29 Nc5
fails to 29 ... NXg3.
28 f3 Nd6
29 Ng2 Nf5
30Qd2 b6
31Qf2
31 g4 was better, driving the knight from
f5.
31 ... Qg5!
The pressure on e3 has become intense.
For the moment 32 ... NXe3 is not possible,
because of 33 f4, but Black threatens to
strengthen his position by ... h5, ... Re6
and ... Qe7.
32 g4
This freeing attempt proves unsuccessful,
but it is difficult to suggest anything better:
32 Re2 is met by 32 ... NXd4, while
weakening the position by 32 f4 is clearly
unattractive.
32... NXe3!!
An unexpected combinational blow. Black
gives up his queen for rook, knight and pawn.
33 h4
Of course, not 33 f4 QXg4.
33 ... NXg2
34hXg5 Nxel
Here we can sum up. The material situation
is roughly level, but White's rook is cut off
from the Q-side, and his king's pawn
covering has been weakened. Black has good
prospects, in view of the possibility of
creating a passed pawn by ... c5.
35 Qg3 Re3
36Qf4
On 36 Qc7 there could have followed
36 ... Nxf3+ 37 Kg2 Nxg5 38 QXc6
R8e4, when Black's attack is very dangerous,
e.g. 39 Qxd5 RXg4+ 40 Kf2 Rgg3.
160

125 Selected Games
36...
37 KM
38dxc5
39Qd6
c5!
Re2
bxc5
d4
The pawn begins its victorious advance.
40QXc5
41Qd5
42Qd7
43Rxf3
White resigns.
d3
d2
NXf3
dl=Q+
After 44 Qxdl Rel+ 45 QXel RXel +
46 Kg2 Re5 Black wins the g5 pawn, and
then creates two connected passed pawns on
the K-side.
No. 80 Griinfeld Defence
Korchnoi-Smyslov
Match Moscow-Leningrad, Leningrad, 1967
ld4
2c4
3Nc3
4e3
5Nf3
6Bd3
70-0
8h3
9Qxf3
d5
c6
Nf6
g6
Bg7
0-0
Bg4
Bxf3
e6
The modern way of handling this opening.
Black reinforces his pawn centre, intending
to play ... e5 only after thorough
preparation. Earlier 9 ... dxc4 10 Bxc4 Nbd7 11
Rdl e5 used to be played, but after 12 d5!
White gained the advantage.
10 Rdl
11 b4
Nbd7
11 e4 is not good in view of the
counterblow 11 ... e5!, when the position is opened
to Black's advantage. White's attempt to
play actively on the Q-side also proves
unsuccessful. Best is 11 b3, planning the
development of the bishop at b2.
11...
12BXc4
13Bb3
dXc4
Nb6
Nbd5
The square d5 serves as a convenient base
for manoeuvres by the black knights. Now
White should have continued 14 NXd5
cxd5 15 Bd2, maintaining an equal game.
Jle prefers to sacrifice a pawn, but does not
obtain sufficient compensation in return.
14 Na4?!
More of an emotional decision than one
based on strict calculation. The chances of
a pawn offensive in the centre are not so real
as to give White the initiative.
14...
15 e4
16Ba3
17 Racl
NXb4
Nd7
a5
17 Nb2 could have been met by 17 ... c5
18 dXc5 Qe7 and 19 ... NXc5.
17
Qh4!
Black defends actively, occupying a strong
position with his queen, and vacating d8 for
the regrouping of his pieces.
18Nb2
19Nc4
20Bxb4
21 d5
Rfd8
Bf8
axb4
161

Games 80 & 81
Played with the aim of opening up the
centre or of obtaining a passed d-pawn. But
Black gains counter-chances by the advance
of his e-pawn.
21 ... cxd5
22eXd5 e5
23Rel
If 23 d6, then 23 ... e4 24 Qe2 Nc5 with
the threat of 25 ... Nd3, when the passed
d-pawn can easily be attacked.
23 ... Re8
24 Re4 Qg5
25 Reel b5
26 h4 Qh6!
The e5 pawn is immune, in view of 27
NXe5 NXe5 28 RXe5 RXe5 29 RXe5
Qcl+, when 30 Kh2 fails to 30 ... Bd6,
while on 30 Bdl there follows 30 ... RXa2.
27Ne3
Bd6
Now that White's passed pawn is
blockaded, Black threatens ... f5 and ... e4.
28 Ng4 is not dangerous in view of 28 ...
Qg7. On 28 Rg4 Black has 28 ... Rac8,
with the possible variation 29 Nf5 Qf8 30
h5 Rc3 31 Qe2 Nf6 32 hXg6 hXg6 33 Rg5
e4, when he has the better chances.
28 h5 15
29 Rh4 Rf8!
The position has become markedly sharpei.
On 29 ... e4 Black had to reckon with 30
Qh3!, when 30 ... Be7 fails to 31 d6+.
30Rta3
If 30 Qh3, then 30 ... g5! 31 Nxf5 Qf6 32
Nxd6 Qxf2+ 33 Kh2 Qxh4, winning the
exchange.
30...
31 hxg6
e4
QXg6
Now the f5 pawn is defended, and the
initiative passes to Black.
32Qdl
33Nc2
34 g3
35Nd4
36Rfl
Rf7
Rg7
Ne5
Nd3
f4
Beginning a direct attack on the king. If 37
Ne6, then 37 ... Qg4 38 NXg7 Qxh3 39
Qh5 QXh5 40 NXh5 e3 41 fxe3 fXe3, and
the e-pawn is very dangerous.
37Qh5
38QXg6
fXg3
On 38 fXg3 there would have followed
38 ... QXh5 39 RXh5 RXg3 + 40 Khl e3
41 Nf5 Rf8! 42 Nxg3 RxH + 43 Nxfl e2,
when the pawn queens.
38 ...
39 Khl
40Nxb5
White resigns.
gXf2+
RXg6
Bc5
162

125 Selected Games
No. 81 Nimzo-Indian Defence
Portisch-Smyslov
ld4
2c4
3Nc3
4e3
5Nf3
6Bd3
70-0
8Bxc4
Nf6
e6
Bb4
c5
0-0
d5
dxc4
Qe7
When playing against Portisch one must
always be prepared for a theoretical duel,
since the Hungarian grandmaster is rightly
acknowledged as one of the greatest experts
on modern opening theory.
Following a game with Gligoric in the
1959 Candidates Tournament, I have several
times employed this opening system with
8 ... Qe7, which practice has shown to be
perfectly viable. Here White has various
possibilities, but Portisch sticks to his
customary way of handling the variation.
9a3 Ba5
10 Qc2 Bd7
llBd3 Rc8
The rook is well placed on the c-file, where
it averts the threat of 12 dXc5 Qxc5 13 M.
12Bd2
Once again threatening 13 d xc5. This
position was reached in my game with Portisch
(Havana 1964), where I played 12 ... Bb6,
but after 13 dxc5 QXc5 14 e4 Nc6 (or 14 ...
Qh5 15 e5 Ng4 16 Rael Nc6 17 Bf4 Nd4 18
Nxd4Bxd419 Qe2, with the threat ofh2-h3)
15 Be3 White gained slightly the better game.
12 ... cxd4
13exd4 h6
Logically, Black prevents the unpleasant
pin after Bg5.
14 Rfel Qd8
15 Qcl Qf8!
The queen comes to the assistance of the
king, by preventing the sacrifice on h6.
Initially Black has to defend carefully, but he
can soon switch to a counter-attack.
16 Ne5 Nc6
17 Nxd7 Nxd7
18Re4
At first sight this seems perfectly
consistent, but in planning to transfer his rook to
the K-side, Portisch overlooks Black's
spectacular counter.
18 d5 is not good because of 18 ... exd5
19 Nxd5 Nce5, while after 18 Be3 Black has
18 ... Nf6, preparing 19 ... Rd8 and a
systematic siege of the d4 pawn.
18 ... f5!
This sharp reply enables Black not only
to avoid all danger, but also to win the central
pawn. The rook has to retrace its steps, since
19 Rh4 can be met by 19 ... Qf6, while after
19 Rxe6 Nxd4 there is the threat of 20 ...
Nb3, and if 20 Qel, then 20 ... Nxe6
21 Qxe6+ Qf7 22 Bxf5 Rf8, when Black
does not have to fear 23 QXf7+ Kxf7
24 Bxd7 Rad8, or 23 Nd5 Rae8!
19 Rel Nxd4
20 Qdl Nf6
21 Be3 eS
22 Qa4 Bb6
i«

Games 81 & 82
23 Bxd4!
24Ne2
eXd4
After losing a pawn, Portisch
resourcefully seeks counter-chances. The weakened
position of the black king gives the play
a double-edged nature, and Black's extra
pawn is not of any great importance.
24 ...
25Nf4
26 g3
27Bbl
Ne4
Rc6
Qf7
Better equalizing chances are offered by
the simple 27 BXe4 fxe4 28 Rxe4.
27...
28Ba2
29Bd5
Kb8
Qf6
This bishop displays considerable energy.
In the event of 29 ... Rd6 White can
continue 30 BXe4 fxe4 31 Rxe4, when thanks
to the threat of 32 Re8+ he does not have
to fear the advance of the passed pawn to d3.
29
d3!
An unexpected reply. By increasing the
scope of his pieces, Black seizes the initiative,
and now White has to concern himself with
the defence of his king. If 30 NXd3, then
30 ... Rd6 31 Bxe4 fXe4 32 Qxe4 RXd3
33 Qxd3 Bxf2+ 34 Khl Bxel 35 Rxel
QXb2 36 Rbl Qf6, and Black has an extra
pawn.
30BXc6
31 Khl
BXf2+
White had a difficult choice to make
regarding where to move his king. On 31 Kg2 there
could have followed 31 ... Nc5! 32 Qc4
Bxel 33 Qxc5 Qxb2+ 34 Kh3 Qxal 35
Bxb7 Rd8 36 Qxf5 Qf6 37 Ng6+ Kh7,
when White's threats dry up.
31
Qxc6
In this way Black forces a favourable
ending, where he has two pawns for the exchange
and an active game.
32QXc6
33Redl
34Kg2
35Rabl
36Ne2
bXc6
d2
Bd4
Rb8
36 b4 was better, although after 36 ...
Bf6 37 Ne2 Rd8 White remains in a difficult
position.
36 ... Bxb2
37 Kf3 Rb3+
38 Kf4 Nd6
39Rxd2
Severely short of time, Portisch overlooks
the main threat. However, after 39 h4 Nc4
40 Kxf5 NXa3 the game is again decided.
39 ..
g5 mate.
No. 82 Sicilian Defence
Padevsky-Smyslov
Monaco, 1968
le4
2Nf3
3d4
4Nxd4
5Bd3
c5
e6
cXd4
a6
BcS
164

• 125 Selected Games
This move is an opening innovation of
mine, and was first played against Keres in
the 29th USSR Championship, Baku, 1961.
That game continued 6 Nb3 Ba7 7 0-0 Nc6
8 Qe2 d6 9 Be3 Nf6 10 Nld2 0-0 11 Rfdl
BXe3 12 QXe3 Qc7 13 Bel Ne5 14 c3 Rd8
15 h3 h6 16 Nf3 Ng6, with a good position for
Black.
6 Nb3 Ba7
7 0-0 Nc6
8Qe2
If 8 Qg4, then 8 ... Nf6 9 QXg7 Rg8 10
Qh6 Ne5, and Black has the initiative for the
sacrificed pawn.
8 ... d6
9Be3
Aiming for the exchange of black-squared
bishops, since the bishop at a7 occupies
a strong position and prevents f*2-f4.
9... BXe3
10 Qxe3 Nf6
HNc3
This is a more natural development of the
knight than at d2.
11 ... 0-0
12 Radl Qc7
13Khl b5
14 f4 Bb7
15 Qh3 b4
Black takes positive action on the Q-side.
By driving away the knight he increases the
pressure on the e4 pawn. Also good was
15 ... Nb4 16 a3 Nxd3 17 cxd3 Qb6 18
Ne2 b4 19 Nbd4, with roughly equal chances.
16 Ne2 Rfd8
17 Rdel h6
18Ng3
Hoping for an attack, White takes his
pieces across to the K-side. On 18 g4 there
could have followed 18 ... Nh7 19 Ng3 e5,
when the pawn offensive is halted.
18 ... Rac8
Not fearing 19 e5, in view of 19 ... dxe5
20 fxe5 NXe5 21 Rxf6 Rxd3! 22 cxd3
gXf6 23 Nh5 (or 23 Qxh6 Ng4) 23 ... f5,
when in this sharp position Black's chances
are by no means worse.
19 Nd2 Nd4!
20 Nf3 Qb6
Threatening to capture the c2 pawn, which
did not work immediately because of 21 Rcl.
Black's pressure is becoming appreciable, and
bad now is 21 NXd4 Qxd4 22 e5 dxe5 23
fxe5 Ng4, when in view of the threat of
24 ... Nf2+ the e5 pawn is lost.
21 e5 dxe5
22 fxe5 Nxf3
23 gXf3 Nh7
24Nh5 g6
25 Nf6+
A more tense situation would have resulted
from 25 Nf4, with the threat of opening the
g-file. The position then becomes much
sharper, but Black has good possibilities of
counter-play. For example: 25 ... Ng5 26
Qg3 (26 QXh6 ATX/J!) 26 ... Rxd3! 27
cxd3 (27Nxd3 RXc2 28 h4Nxf3 29 Rx/3
Qh4 30 Rdl Qe3 31 Nel Rf2) 21 ... Rc2,
and the active placing of the black pieces is
sufficient compensation for the exchange:
i/m

Games 82 & 83
a) 28 Re2 Bxf3+ ! 29 Rxf3 Rcl + .
b) 28 h4 Nxf3 29 RXf3 Qf2.
c) 28 Ng2 Rxb2 29 h4 Nh7 30 Nf4 Kh8
31 Re2 (or 31 NXg6+ /Xg6 32 QXg6
Qd8, answering 33 Qxh6 with 33 ... Qg8)
31... RXe2 32 NXe2 Qe3 33 Nf4 Nf8,
with the threat of 34 ... Qxe5.
25... NXf6
26 exf6 e5!
This strong manoeuvre eliminates any
danger of an attack. If now 27 Be4, then
27 ... BXe4 28 fXe4 Rc6 29 QXh6 RXf6.
After the position has been simplified, the
pawn weaknesses in White's position will
begin to tell.
27RXe5 QXf6
28Qg3 Rd5
It is essential to exchange the active rook
and prevent it from going to f5, after which
White could still have put up a defence.
29Rxd5 Bxd5
30 b3 Re8
The initiative is with Black, and now he
methodically strengthens his attack on the
weak f3 pawn.
31 Kg2 Re3
32Rf2 Kg7
33Be2 a5
34 Bdl Qd4
Black's pieces command the battlefield.
In view of his numerous weaknesses, White
can no longer hold the position.
35Rfl ReS
36 Qf2 Qc3
37 Khl Bc6
38 Qb6 Rd5!
White resigns.
No. 83 English Opening
Smyslov-Liberzon
USSR Team Championship, Riga 1968
lc4 e5
2Nc3 Nc6
3g3 g6
4Bg2 Bg7
5Rbl
The idea of this manoeuvre is to prepare
immediately a Q-side pawn offensive. I first
played this move in a game with the
Rumanian master Ungureanu at the 1968 Lugano
Olympiad.
5 ... d6
6b4 a6
This natural desire to hinder b4-b5 has its
drawbacks, which are revealed in the
subsequent play, when the opening of the a-file
makes it easier for White to develop his
initiative. The game with Ungureanu went
6 ... ft 7 b5 Nce7 8 e3 Nf6 9 d4, with an
active game for White.
166

i25 Selected Games
7e3
8Nge2
9d3
10 0-0
11 a4
f5
Nf6
0-0
Bd7
Tie opening phase is over, and White sets
about implementing his main strategic plan.
11...
12 b5
13aXb5
14Ba3
15Qb3
Rb8
aXh5
Ne7
Be6
Intending to strengthen the position further
by d3-d4. Black cannot reply 15 ... c5,
because of 16 bXc6 bXc6 17 Qxb8 Qxb8
18 Rxb8 Rxb8 19 Bxd6, when the
importance of developing the bishop at a3 is seen.
15 ...
16 d4
b6
The offensive in the centre begins. The
threat is 17 dxe5 dXe5 18 Rfdl, with strong
positional pressure.
16...
17 d5
18Nd4
e4
Bf7
Qd7
On 18 .... Nd7 White was intending to
continue 19 Ne6 Bxe6 20 dXe6 Ne5 21
Nd5!, with a clear advantage.
19Bb2
Before taking positive action, White
deploys his pieces in the best way possible, and
first of all transfers his bishop to the long
diagonal.
19
g5
In view of White's mounting Q-side
initiative, Black strives to create counter-chances
on the opposite wing, where he has
accumulated a number of pieces.
20Nce2
21Ral
Kh8
Ng6
22 f4!
This move nips Black's counter-play in the
bud. If 22 ... gXf4, then 23 NXf4 Nxf4
24 RXf4, and the f5 pawn is doomed, while
if 22 ... g4, then 23 Ra7 followed by Nc6
or Ne6, when Black's position is unenviable.
22 ...
23 RXf3
24Nc6
25Ned4
eXf3
Ne7
Rbe8
NfXd5!?
Black decides on extreme measures.
26cXd5
BXd5
Hoping to gain sufficient compensation for
the piece in the variation 27 Qc2 Bxf3
28 Bxf3 Ng6, when Black activates his
game.
1A7

Games 83 & 84
27NXf5!l
An unexpected queen sacrifice, which
precipitates a storm of complications. If 27...
BXb3, then 28 BXg7+ Kg8 29 NcXe7+
RXe7 30 BXf8 Kxf8 31 Ra8+ Kf7 32
Nd4+ Kg7 33 NXb3, and White wins, while
27 ... Nxf5 is unfavourable because of 28
QXd5 BXb2 29 Rafl, with a fatal pin on
the f-file.
27... RXf5
28BXg7+ Kg8!
A cool defence. Weaker is 28 ... KXg7
29 Qc3+ Kg8 30 RXf5 Qxf5 31 e4 BXe4
32BXe4QXe4 33Rel.
29Rxf5!!
Again leaving the queen en prise. Black is
finally forced to accept the sacrifice, but his
king finds itself in a dangerous situation.
29 ... BXb3
30 RXg5 Ng6
If 30 ... h6, then 31 NXe7 + , and:
a)31 ... RXe7 32Ra8+Re833BXh6+
Kh7 34 Rg7+ QXg7 35 Bxg7 RXa8
36 BXa8 KXg7 37 g4, and the bishop
ending is won for White.
b) 31 ... QXe7 32 Bxh6+ Kh833 Rh5!
Kg8 34 Rfl, and the attack must prove
successful.
31 Bh6 Qe6
Of course, not 31 ... RXe3 32 RXg6+
hXg6 33 BXe3. If 31 ... Kh8, then 32 Nd4
Bc4 33 Bc6 Qh3 34 Nf5, with the double
threat of Bxe8 and Bg2.
32 h4!
This attack by the h-pawn reveals White's
basic intention. Black's sole defensive piece
(his knight) is uncomfortably pinned.
32... QXe3+
33Kh2 Qc3
34 Rfl Bc4
Black's rook is tied to the back rank, and
at the same time h4-h5 is threatened.
35Rf2 Qel
36Rgf5
Now h4-h5 cannot be averted, and Black
has no satisfactory defence.
36... BXb5
37Bd2!
IAS

125 Selected Games
This leads to a nice mating finish.
37 ...
38Bd5+
Qbl
Kb8
38 ... Kg7 is no better in view of 39 Rf7+
Kh8 40 Bc3+ Ne5 41 NXe5 dXe5 42 RXc7,
when in this curious position the black queen
can do nothing to parry the threat of 43
BXC5 + .
Ne5
dxe5
39Bc3+
40NXe5
41 RXe5
No. 84 English Opening
Bilek-Smyslov
Rubinstein Memorial Tournament,
Polanica Zdroj, 1968
lg3
2c4
3Bg2
e5
d6
Nc6
By transposition of moves, a position from
the English Opening has been reached. The
further course of the game follows a familiar
theoretical path.
4Nc3
5e3
6Nge2
7d3
g6
Bg7
Nge7
At one time the variation 7 0-0 0-0 8 d4,
with the idea of creating a pawn centre, was
popular. But subsequently an adequate
antidote was found: 8 ... eXd4 9 eXd4 Bg4!
10 h3 BXe2 11 NXe2 Nf5 12 d5 Ncd4, when
the chances are roughly equal.
7 ...
8Nd5
0-0
A slight inaccuracy. Why offer the exchange
of knights? It would have been better to delay
this move until Black had played ... Be6.
8 ...
9cxd5
10 0-0
11 dxc6
12 d4
NXd5
Ne7
c6
bXc6
This is a more serious error.
The advance of the pawn is premature, and
in the end leads to the opening of the d-file,
which favours Black. To be considered was
12 Qc2 and then 13 Bd2.
12 ...
13Rel
14 dxe5
15Qc2
16Bd2
Ba6
Qb6
dxe5
Rfd8
ft«
I iH * mm
■nm mm mm
II,..Ȥ
mm. y//,
mm,, Wm.
&h#h&hi.b
16...
Bd3!
From here on White gets into a bind, from
which he is unable to escape.
17Qcl
18Nc3
19Na4
20Bxb4
Nd5
Nb4
Qb5
Practically forced in view of the threat of
20 ... Nc2, but now White has difficulties
over the defence of his Q-side.
20 ...
21Nc3
QXM
21 BXc6 fails to 21 ... Rac8, with a fatal
pin on the c-file, while if 21 Nc5, then 21 ...
e4 22 a3 QXb2 23 QXb2 BXb2 24 Ra2 (or

Games 84 & 85
24 Radl Bxal) 24 .
of ....Bc4.
21 ...
22Rdl
23Rd2
. Rab8, with
e4
Rab8
c5
Black consistently improves his position.
The open b-file is a convenient avenue for the
invasion of his heavy pieces.
Black's strategic plan involves the
reinforcement of his outpost at d3. On 24 a3 he
can reply 24 ... Qb3, when the e4 pawn is
immune, since on 25 BXe4 there follows
25 ... BXc3!
30Rddl
31Bh3
32Bd7
33Bg4
Re8
Rb2
Re7
Qc5
Now that Black's rook has penetrated into
the depths of the enemy position, he can
forestall White's minor threats.
24Qel
25bXc3
BXc3
Qa5
Of course, not 25 ... QXc3 26 Bxe4,
when White frees himself.
26Rcl
This allows ... c4. The alternative was
26 c4 Rb4, with the following variations:
a) 27 Rcl Ra4, attacking the a2 pawn.
b) 27 Rb2 Qa328RXb4cXb429c5Rc8.
c) 27Bfl Bxfl 28RXd8+ QXd829Qxfl
Qd2 30 a3 Rb2 31 Rbl Ra2 32 Ral Rc2
33 Rdl Qc3, and Black's advantage
becomes apparent.
34Qf6
35Qa6
36 a4
Qe5
Kg7
White's position is lost, but this move leads
to a curious finale.
36
Rc7!
With the threat of trapping the queen by
37 ... Rb6.
37 a5
38 Ral
White resigns.
Rb5
Rbc5
26
c4!
m
''■mf^-wm^
'-TbTb".
HAH Pi
181
Ijjta ™
m a pi
m
Now White can merely await the course of
events.
The concluding position merits a diagram.
The white queen is trapped, and there is no
defence against 39 ... R5c6.
27Qdl
28Qg4
29Qf4
Rd5
Rdb5
Qa3!
170

125 Selected Games
No. 85 King's Indian Defence
Taimanov-Smyslov
Match Moscow-Leningrad, Moscow 1968
ld4
2Nf3
3Bf4
4Nbd2
5c3
Nf6
g6
Bg7
0-0
A well-known opening idea: the pawn
triangle c3-d4-e3 is intended to restrict the
scope of the bishop at g7. This is not a
particularly active set-up, but it promises a
sound game.
5 ... d6
6h3 b6
7e3 c5
8Bc4 Nc6
9 0-0 Bb7
10 Qe2 a6
mm W "PES*
.M mM m
kW ENH9&P
With development completed, the
important stage of transition into the middle-
game has been reached. The question facing
Black is how to break up White's pawn
fortress and open the al-h8 diagonal for his
bishop. With his last move he plans ... b5-b4
11 a4
12Rfdl
13 Racl
14Ba2
Qc7
h6
Rfc8
White intends to close the centre by d4-d5,
but the immediate 14 d5 did not appeal to
him, since after 14 ... Na5 15 e4 Nxc4 16
NXc4 b5 Black gains counter-chances.
14...
15Qd3
Nd8
With the obvious threat of 16 QXg6.
15 ...
16 d5
Kh7
b5!
Black must play this, otherwise White has
time to consolidate his position by c3-c4
and b2-b3. Now 17 c4 can be answered by
17 ... bxa4 followed by 18 ... Rcb8, with
pressure on the b-file.
17 e4
Even so, 17 c4 was better, not allowing
... c4. This inaccuracy is the initial cause
of White's subsequent difficulties.
17 ...
18Qe2
c4
e6!
HfXlsf 1m x ^w
w/. ....xmKtj
i m * ■ w
In this way Black activates his game. He
first isolated the pawn wedge at d5, and now
he undermines it. In the event of 19 dXe6
NXe6 20 Bh2 Nc5 21 axb5 axb5 22 Bbl
Re8 White has problems over the defence of
his e-pawn.
19 Bxd6
An interesting tactical manoeuvre. As often
happens, when the situation on the board
deteriorates, a player seeks chances in
complications.
171

Games 85 & 86
19...
20 e5
21 exf6
22Ne4
QXd6
Qb6
BXf6
A pawn sacrifice for the sake of the
initiative. In the event of 22 dXe6 Nxe6
Black's pieces become very active, while if
22 d6, then 22 ... Bd5 23 Ne4 Bg7, and
after ... Nb7 the passed pawn at d6 is
lost.
22... eXd5
23 Qe3 Qe6
Weaker is 23 ... Qxe324NXf6+ Kg725
Nh5+ gXh5 26 fXe3, when the open
position of Black's king makes it difficult for him
to realize his material advantage.
24 NXf6+
25Ne5
26Rel
QXf6
Ne6
If 26 Nd7 Qd8 27 Nb6, then 27 ... d41
28 NXc8 dxe3 29 RXd8 NXd8 30 Nd6
eXf2+ 31 Kxf2 Bc6 32 Rel Ra7, and Black
retains his advantage in the ending.
26...
27BM
Rc7!
27 NXf7 is bad because of 27 ... Rxf7
28 QXe6 Qxf2+ 29 KM d4!, but now 28
NXg6 is threatened.
27 ...
28Ng4
29 f4
30Ne5
Re7
Qg7
f5
Rae8
By thoughtful defence Black has completely
consolidated his position, and has gradually
built up an attack on the f4 pawn.
31
Ng5!
The start of a victorious counter-attack.
White's king is in danger, and at the same
time 32 ... Nf7 is threatened.
32 g4
33fXe5
34Qb6
RXe5
RXe5
It is difficult to recommend anything better.
The rook cannot be taken because of 34 ...
Nf3+, while on 34 Qg3 there would have
followed 34 ... f4 35 Qg2 d4, with an
irresistible attack.
■34 • • •
35Kf2
36RXel
37 KXel
38aXb5
39Qxb5
Nf3+
NXel
RXel
Bc8
aXb5
If 39 gXf5, then 39 ... Bxf5 40 Bxf5
Qe5+ 41 Kdl QXf5, and the queen ending
is won for Black.
39 ...
40 Kdl
White resigns.
Qe5+
fXg4
31 g3
172

125 Selected Games
No. 86 King's Indian Defence
Smyslov-Fuller
Hastings,
lNf3
2d4
3c4
4Nc3
5Bg5
6Bb4
7e3
1968-69
g6
Nf6
Bg7
0-0
h6
d6
I have tried this opening system on many
occasions. It is not easy for Black to obtain
the active play typical of many variations
of the King's Indian Defence.
7...
8Be2
9dXe5
10 0-0
11 M
NM7
e5
dXe5
c6
White's strategic plan is clear. He intends
to advance his pawn to c5, gaining a strong
point at d6, and then direct his knight there
(Nd2-c4-d6). In this case the open d-file
becomes an important attacking line of
communication.
11...
12 a3
13axb4
14QXal
a5
axb4
RXal
g5
A typical freeing manoeuvre, which,
however, weakens Black's castled position.
15Bg3
16Nd2
17hXg3
Nh5
NXg3
Nb6
It is not easy to suggest a better
continuation. On 17 ... Qc7 there could have followed
18 c5 b6 19 Qa3 bXc5 20 bXc5 Rd8 21
Nde4, with good prospects for White. Black
should possibly have thought in terms of
counter-play by ... f5.
18Rdl
19Nce4
Be6
This centralization is linked with the
obvious idea of playing c4-c5 and then
transferring the knight to d6.
19...
20Nc5!
Qc7
WW
m
mgjgsmm.
mm. m& &
'/. YArrtV/. ,
Jm 2.11
A very strong manoeuvre, stemming from
a concrete evaluation of the position. On
20 ... Bc8 there follows 21 Qa5! (with the
threat of 22 Na4), and in the interesting
variation 21 ... Bg4!? 22 BXg4 Ra8 23
Ndb3 RXa5 24 bXa5 NXc4 25 Rd7 Qb8
26 NXb7 White gains a very strong attack.
20...
21 NXe6
Ra8
With the exchange of this bishop, the
weakness of the white squares on Black's K-side
becomes especially noticeable.
173

Games 86 & 87
21...
22Qbl
23 c5
24Bc4
Qe7
QXe6
Nd5
Qg4
If 24 ... Qe7, then 25 Ne4 Rd8 26 Qb3,
and Black is in difficulties.
25Ne4
Nc7
26Nf6+!
This spectacular sacrifice is the prelude to
a mating attack.
26...
27 Qg6+
28QXH+
Bxf6
Bg7
Kh8?
This loses immediately. White's
combination is revealed in the variation 28 ... Kh7
29 Rd7 Ne8 30 Be6! (only not 30 Qg8+ Kg6
31 Bf7+ Kf6 32 BXe8 because of 32 ...
QXd7\) 30 ... Qxb4 31 g4, with irresistible
threats.
29 Rd7 Resigns.
No. 87 English Opening
Smyslov-Tal
37th USSR Championship, Moscow 1969
lc4
2g3
3Bg2
4Nc3
5Nf3
Nf6
c5
Nc6
g6
Bg7
60-0
7b3
0-0
White plays the opening without the least
pretension. More active is 7 d4 cXd4 8
NXd4, aiming for spatial gains in the centre.
7 ...
8cXd5
9Bb2
10BXC3
d5
Nxd5
NXc3
BXc3
10 ... e5 leads to more interesting play,
but Black exchanges, assuming that the
chances in the resulting ending will be equal.
Ildxc3
12 RfXdl
QXdl
Bf5
At this point Black offered a draw.
However, White enjoys a slight initiative, and the
game continued ...
13Nh4
Be6
On 13 ... Rad8 White could have
continued 14 NXf5 gXf5 15 f4, with the more
pleasant game.
W...„. W4W..
mmmim
12. M„
14 Bxc6!
The exchange of the long-range bishop for
the knight is linked with a concrete evaluation
of the ending. The weakening of Black's
pawn chain ensures White a slight but
enduring advantage.
14 ...
15Nf3
bXc6
f6
174

125 Selected Games
White was threatening to play his knight
to e5, increasing the pressure on the doubled
pawns.
If 15 ... Bg4, then 16 Ne5 BXe2 17 Rel
Ba6 18 Nd7 Rfe8 19 NXc5 Bc8 20 Radl,
with a positional advantage. Endings have
frequently occurred where the presence of
doubled pawns gives superiority to a knight
over a bishop.
16 Nd2 Rfd8
17Ne4 c4
This pawn advance is forced, but now the
knight takes up a dominating position at c5.
18 Nc5 Bf5
19 D Bc2
20RXd8+ RXd8
Black has succeeded in seizing the d-file,
but this is of no significance, since the white
king comes into play and takes control of d2,
which is where the black rook is aiming for.
21KT2 Kf7
22 b4 Bf5
23 Kel e5
It would have been more cautious to
retreat the bishop to c8, when White could
have increased the positional pressure by
24 a4.
24 Nb7! Rd7
The rook has no other move. On 24 ... Rd5
there follows 25 e4, while if 24 ... Rb8,
then 25 Nd6+, winning a pawn.
25Na5 c5
26 bXc5 Rd5
27Nb7
Less good is 27 e4 RXc5 28 Nb7 Rc7
29 Nd6+ Ke7 30 NXf5+ (30 Nb5 Rb7)
30 ... gXf5 31 eXf5 Rb7, when in the rook
ending Black's defence is easier.
27 ... Rd7
28Nd6+ Ke7
29 g4!
A useful move, gaining bl for the rook.
On 30 ... Bc2 there follows 31 NXc4, when
31 ... Rc7 fails to 32 Ne3, with a double
threat.
29 ... Be6
30 Rbl Rc7
31Rb7
Thus White maintains his extra pawn.
Black cannot reply 31 ... Kd7 because of
32 RXc7+ KXc7 33 Ne8+.
31 ... RXb7
32NXb7 Kd7
33Nd6
A difficult point in the game. After 33 Na5
f5 34 gXf5 gXf5 a position is reached where
White's plan is to transfer his king to b4, but
at a certain moment Black gains freedom of
action on the K-side. At d6 the knight
occupies a more flexible post than at a5, and is
ready to join in the action on the K-side.
33 ... h6
34Kf2 Kc6
35Ke3
This move is possible, since on 35 ... KXc5
there follows 36 Ne4+.
35 ... a5
If 35 ... f5, then 36 gXf5 gxf5 37 f4
Kd5 38 Ne8! eXf4+ 39 Kxf4 KXc5 40
Ng7.
36Ne8 f5
37 Ng7 Bd7
175

Games 87 & 88
38 gxf5 gXf5
39 f4
Just at the right time! Now on 39 ... K X c5
there follows 40 fxe5 Kd5 41 Kf4.
39 ... Kd5
40 c6! Bc8
41 c7 Kd6
42 h4
White sealed this move, but Black resigned
without resuming.
On 42 ... Bd7 there follows 43 Nh5 Bc8
44 fXe5+ KXe5 45 Nf4, followed by 46
Ng6+ Kf6 47 h5 and 48 Kf4. It is easy to see
that the the passed pawn restricts Black's
manoeuvrability, and that White realizes his
material advantage.
No. 88 Grunfeld Defence
Smyslov-Stein
37th USSR Championship, Moscow 1969
1 <J4 Nf6
2c4 g6
3Nc3 d5
4Nf3 Bg7
5cXd5 NXd5
6Bd2 0-0
7Rcl
This rapid mobilization of the Q-side is
directed against ... c5, and promises White
a sound and solid position.
Smyslov-Hort, Monaco 1969, now
continued 7 ... NXc3 8 BXc3 Qd5 9 b3 Bg4
10 Ne5 Be6 11 e3 BXe5 12 dXe5 QXdl +
13 Rxdl a5 14 Bc4 BXc4 15 bXc4 Na6
16 Ke2, with the better ending.
1 ... Nb6
8e3
8 Bg5 followed by 9 e3 should also be
considered.
8 ... N8d7
I had the same position in a game against
Uhlmann (Skopje, 1969), which went 8 ...
Bg4 9 Be2 c6 10 0-0 BXf3 11 BXf3 e5 12
dXe5 BXe5 13 Qc2, when White stood better.
An improvement for the defence is 8 ...
Nc6 9 Bb5 e5 10 BXc6 eXd4!, when Black
gains counter-chances.
9Be2 e5
10 0-0 eXd4
11 NXd4 c6
12 b4
A typical plan in the given system of
development. Utilizing the semi-open c-file,
White begins a Q-side pawn offensive.
12 ... Re8
13 a4 Ne5
14 Ne4! Nec4?
An oversight, allowing complications which
favour White.
15BXc4 RXe4
If 15 ... NXc4, then 16 RXc4, and:
a) 16 ... RXe4 17 NXc6l Qe8 18 Nd4
Be6 19 Rc7, or
b) 16 ... Qd5 17 f3! QXc4 (oi 11 ...
RXe4 18 Rc5) 18 Nd6,in each case with
advantage to White.
176

125 Selected Games
16BXf7+!
A spectacular blow, which evidently
escaped Black's attention. He is now faced
with the choice of remaining a pawn down,
or of going in for dangerous complications.
16
KM
On 16 ... KXf7 there could have followed
17 Qf3+ Bf5 18 NXf5 gXf5 19 QXf5 +
Kg8 20 Qxe4 Qxd2 21 a5, and now:
a) 21 ... Nd5 22 a6 bXa6 23 RXc6, and
White goes onto the offensive.
b) 21 ... Qd5 22 Qg4 Nd7 23 Rfdl Ne5
24 RXd5 NXg4 25 Rd7 Rb8 26 Rcdl,
with the better chances in the ending.
17 a5
18Bxd5
19Rc5
20Qc2
21Bc3
Nd5
QXd5
QH
Re8
White is a pawn up with a good position.
If he should succeed in exchanging the
black-squared bishops, his superiority will
become overwhelming.
21 ...
22Nf3
23Qb2
24Re5
25NXe5
26 f3
27 e4
Kg8
Bf5
Bf8
RXe5
Qd5
Be6
Qb3
Black offers the exchange of queens, since
otherwise the threat of f3-f4-f5 could have
placed his king in a difficult situation.
28QXb3
29Rbl
30Nd7!
BXb3
Ba4
If now 30 ... Be7, then 31 Nc5, and with
the exchange of Black's bishop his activity
will be reduced to the minimum. It is true
that White has to reckon with the fact that
opposite-coloured bishops are left, and efforts
are still required to overcome the technical
difficulties.
30...
31NXf8
32KI2
33Rcl
Rd8
KX»
KT7
Only not 33 Ke3 because of 33 ... Bc2 and
34...Rd3 + .
White is not afraid of the exchange of
rooks, since after 33 ... Rdl 34 Rxdl
Bxdl 35 Bd4 a6 36 f4 Ke6 37 h3 h5 38 Ke3
Black is in zugzwang. Bishop moves are met
by g2-g4 and f4-f5, while if the king moves
there follows f4-f5.
33 ...
34 h4
Rd3
b5
No better is 34 . . . Rdl, when White
again achieves a winning position; e.g.
35 Rxdl Bxdl 36 Bd4 a6 37 Ke3 Ba4 38
Kf4 Bb5 39 Kg5 Bf 1 40 g4 Be2 (or 40 ... Bg2
177

Games 88 & 89
41 Kf4 Bfl 42 Ke3, with the threat of f3-
f4~f5) 41 f4, with two possibilities:
a) 41 ...h6+42Kxh6BXg443f5gXf5
44 Kg5 Ke6 45 h5 etc.
b) 41 ... Bf3 42 e5 h6+ 43 KXh6 BXg4
44 Kg5 Bf3 45 h5 BXh5 46 f5, and the
connected passed pawns ensure success.
35 Kg3 Rdl
36Rxdl BXdl
37 Bd4 a6
38Kf4 Ke6
39Kg5
Before the time control White does not
take any decisive action. In spite of the
opposite-coloured bishops, the possibility of g2-g4
gives him real winning chances.
39... Kf7
40 Kf4 Ke6
41Bb6 Bb3
The sealed move. On resumption there
followed:
42 g4!
43 KXg4
44Kf4
45Bd4
46Ke3
47Be5
48Bg3!
hXg4
Bdl
Kf7
Kf8
Kf7
Ke6
The ending is not without its subtle points.
If 48 ... Kd7, then 49 h5! gxh5 50 f4,
answering 50 ... c5 with 51 bxc5 Kc6
52 Kd4 Kb5 53 f5, when White must win.
48 ... Kf 6
49 Bf4 Ke6
Or 49 ... Bb3 50 Bg5+ Ke6 51 h5 etc.
50 h5! gXhS
51 Bg3 Resigns.
Against the advance of the connected
passed pawns there is no satisfactory defence.
No. 89 King's Indian Defence
SmysloT-Iiberzon
37th USSR Championship, Moscow, 1969
1 c4 g6
2Nc3 Bg7
3 d4 Nf6
4Bg5 c5
5e3 cXd4
6 eXd4 d5
After this the position loses its King's
Indian outlines. Black sacrifices a pawn in the
interests of rapid development, a plan which
leads to interesting and lively play.
7 BXf6 BXf6
8cXd5 0-0
The alternative is 8 ... Qb6 9 Bb5+ Bd7
10 Bxd7+ NXd7 11 Nge2, when White
retains slightly the better chances.
9Nf3
The most natural continuation. On 9 Qd2
there could have followed 9 ... e6! 10 Bc4
eXd5 11 Nxd5 Bg7 12 Ne2Nc613 Rdl Be6
14 Ne3 BXc4 15 NXc4 Qd5, when Black
regains his pawn.
9 ... Nd7
To be considered is 9 ... Bg4, after which
Smyslov-Taimanov (39th USSR
Championship, Leningrad, 1971) continued 10 Bc4
178

125 Selected Games
Nd7 11 0-0 BXf3 12 Qxf3 BXd4 13 Qe4
Bf6, and Black gained a sound position by
transferring his knight via b6 and c8 to d6.
10 Bc4 Nb6
11 Bb3 Bg4
12 0-0 Rc8
13Rel
White systematically builds up the
pressure on the e-file, without attempting to
keep his extra pawn.
13 ... BXf3
14 QXf3 BXd4
15 Radl BXc3
An interesting idea.
Black remains with a good knight, with
favourable endgame prospects on the Q-side.
But a complicated middlegame still lies ahead,
and from this point of view the exchange of
the black-squared bishop is not without its
drawbacks. Now the e7 pawn becomes more
vulnerable, and the black king is deprived of
an important defender.
16 bXc3 Qd6
17 h4!
White's chances lie in an attack on the
K-side. In the event of 17 ... Kg7 18 h5
Qf6 19 h6+ Kxh6 20 Qxf6 exf6 21 Re7
he attains an active rook on the seventh rank.
17 ... h5
18 Rd4 Kg7
19 Rf4 Rc7
A good defensive manoeuvre.
19 ... Nd7 would have been strongly met
by 20 Rfe4 Rfe8 21 Qe3, with a double attack
on the pawns at e7 and a7.
20 Re6! Qd8
21 Re3 Qd6
22Rfe4
White maintains the tension. Of course,
the d5 pawn is immune: 22 ... Nxd5 23
Rd3 e6 24 c4.
22 ... a5
As a result of this premature activity the
position of the knight at b6 is weakened.
Black would have done better to adopt
waiting tactics.
23 a4 Qf6?
And this is an outright blunder, leading to
an unexpectedly swift denouement.
24 Rf4 Qd6
2SRe6!
The rook again invades at e6, this time
with decisive effect. The point is that the
queen cannot return to d8, since this leaves
the knight en prise.
25 ... Qc5
26RXg6+!
Destroying the black king's pawn shield.
If now 26 ... KXg6, then 27 Qg3+ Kh7
28 Rf5 Rc6 29 Bc2 Rg6 30 Rxf7+, and wins.

Games 89, 90 & 91
26...
27RXf8
28Qf7+
29 Qf4+
30RT7+
31(16!
fXg6
QXc3
Kh6
Kg7
Kg8
The bishop, which has been lying 'asleep'
in ambush, joins the attack. If now 31 ...
Qcl+, then 32 Kh2 Qxf4+ 33 Rxf4+ etc.
31 ...
32Rf8+
QX
Red
No. 90 Ruy Lopez
Schmid-Smyslov
Monte Carlo,
le4
2Nf3
3Bb5
4Ba4
5 0-0
6Rel
7Bb3
8c3
9h3
1969
e5
Nc6
a6
Nf6
Be7
b5
0-0
d6
h6
In the Ruy Lopez it is not easy to devise
something new. I suggested 9 ... h6 back in
1961, the idea being to play ... Re8 and
... Bf8, with the aim of over-protecting the
central e5 pawn. This opening system soon
gained fairly widespread popularity.
10 d4
11NM2
12 Nfl
Re8
Bf8
Bd7
The more active development of the bishop
at b7 is also played, but d7 has its virtues.
13Ng3
14Bc2
15 b3
Na5
c5
Nc6
16Be3
Maintaining the tension in the centre.
On 16 d5 there could have followed 16 ...
Ne7 17 Be3 Qc7, with a sound position for
Black. Gheorghiu-Smyslov (Buenos Aires,
1970) continued 18 b4 cXb4 19 cXb4 Nc8
20 a4 Nb6, when Black gained counter-
chances on the Q-side.
16... cxd4
17 cxd4 eXd4
18 Nxd4
Little is achieved by 18 Bel, when Black
equalizes completely by 18 ... Qc719 Bb2 d5.
18 ... d5!
19eXd5 Nb4
20 Nc6 NXc6
21 dXc6 Bxc6
Following the disappearance of the central
pawns, Black's pieces have taken up
comfortable positions, and the chances can be
considered roughly equal.
22 Qd4 Qd5
23QXd5 Nxd5
24Be4 Nb4
25Bxc6 NXc6
26Nf5
White fails to sense the danger, whereas
he should have been concerned for his Q-side
pawns. With this in mind, he should have
played 26 a4, aiming for an exchange of
pawns.
26 ... Nb4
ion

125 Selected Games
The knight ties the rook to the defence of
the a2 pawn, and also threatens a fork at c2.
On 27 Reel there can follow 21 ... Rac8 28
a4 Nc2 29 Ra2 Nxe3 30 Rxc8 Rxc8 31
NXe3 Rcl+ 32 Kh2 Rbl, when the b3
pawn is lost.
27Nd4
28Redl
Bc5
28 ... B X d4 29 B X d4 Nc2 was threatened,
and on 28 Reel there would have followed
28 ... BXd4 29 Bxd4 Re2, when the a2
pawn is attacked.
28...
29Racl
Nd5
White finds himself in difficulties. 29 Rd3
is bad because of 29 ... NXe3 30 fxe3
RXe3!
29 ... Ba3
30Rc6 Nb4
The knight returns to its former position
with decisive effect. Less good was 30 ...
NXe3 31 fXe3, when 31 ... RXe3 fails to
32 Nc2.
31 Rc7 Rad8!
Black strengthens his position. Now on
32 Rd2 there follows 32 ... Nd5, and if 33
Nc6, then 33 ... Rd6 34 Ra7 NXe3 35 RXd6
BXd6 36 fXe3 RXe3 (with the mating
threat of 37 ... Bg3) 37 Ra8+ Kh7 38 Kf2
Bc5 39 Kfl Rc3 40 RXa6 Rcl+ 41 Ke2
Rc2+ 42 KB f5, with a big positional
advantage.
32Rfl NXa2
The attack on the a2 pawn has concluded
successfully, and Black has not only won
a pawn, but also retained the initiative. 33
Ral is not dangerous in view of 33 ... Bd6
followed by 34 ... Nb4.
33Nc2
Bb2!
Now the bishop prevents 34 Ral. Black's
minor pieces co-ordinate well in the heart of
the enemy position.
34Rc6
35Rc5
36RXC8
37Nd4
38BXd4
White resigns.
a5
Rc8
RXc8
BXd4
Ncl
Both 39 ... Ne2+ and 39 ... Nxb3 are
threatened.
No. 91 King's Indian Defence
Smystov-Uhlmann
Zagreb,
lc4
2Nc3
3d4
4Bg5
5Bh4
1970
Nf6
g6
Bg7
b6
c5
Black tries to increase the scope of his
black-squared bishop along the long diagonal.
6e3
7Nf3
8Be2
9Nxd4
10 0-0
0-0
d6
cXd4
Nc6
Bf5

Games 91 & 92
This continuation had been played before,
but in the present game it meets with a
refutation.
11 Nxf5 gXf5
12 Qd3 Qd7
13 f4
19...
20fxe6
e5
fxe6
20 ... Qxe6 would also have been met by
21 RXe4, when the rook cannot be captured
because of 22 Bd3.
Without allowing the black knight to e5,
White prepares e3-e4.
13 ...
14Qd2
15 Bxf6
Nb4
Na6
The battle revolves around the key square
e4. White chooses the most vigorous solution
to the problem, offering a pawn for the sake
of an attack.
15 ...
Bxf6
16 e4!
BXc3
Black accepts the challenge. On 16 ...
Nc5 there could have followed 17 e Xf5 Q Xf5
18 Nd5, with active play.
17 QXc3
fXe4
If 17 ... Qe6, then 18 eXf5! QXe2 19
Rf3 Kh7 20 Rel, and the queen is trapped.
18 f5
19Rf4
Kh7
Now White regains his pawn and keeps
the initiative.
21 RXe4 e5
22 Rdl Qf5
23 Qe3 Nc5
24Rg4
Against the threats of 25 b4 and 25 RXd6
there is no satisfactory defence, for example:
24 ... Qf6 25 b4 Nd7 26 Bd3+ Kh8 27 Rg6.
No. 92 English Opening
Smyslov-Reshevsky
'Match of the Century', Belgrade 1970
lc4
2Nc3
3Nf3
Nf6
e6
b6
In the 1953 Candidates Tournament in
Zurich we had the same opening variation.
Then Reshevsky replied 3 ... Bb4, but here
he chooses a different continuation.
4e4
I wanted to deviate from the Queen's
Indian set-ups with g2-g3, which normally
give the game a peaceful course.
4 ...
5d3
6g3
7Bg2
80-0
9h3
10 d4!
Bb7
d6
Be7
0-0
c5
Nc6
cXd4
This exchange allows White the better
prospects in the centre. Black's position
remains fairly sound, but it is difficult for him
to gain counter-play. 10 ... e5 was better.
182

125 Selected Games
11 NXd4
12 NXc6
13Bf4
14Qe2
15 Racl
16Rfdl
17 a4
Rc8
BXc6
Qc7
a6
Rfd8
Qa7
■vg
fjun
'40%%? W"j
'////AM ft '/M
iwm 'wmdZwm&'wm
White has gained a clear initiative. By
simple means he has prevented Black's
freeing attempts ... b5 or ... d5. In search of
counterplay Reshevsky re-forms his defensive
lines, but in doing so weakens his d5 square.
17 ...
18Bg5
19Nb5
e5
a5
Qb8
On 19 ... Bxb5 there would have followed
20 cXb5 (intending to invade with the white
rook at c6) 20 ... Qb7 21 RXc8 RXc8 22
BXf6, when Black has a difficult choice
between giving up a pawn and weakening his
king position by 22 ... gXf6.
20 h4!
21 Bxf6
22Nc3
h6
BXf6
By this quiet move White consolidates his
positional superiority. Unclear complications
would have resulted from 22 Bh3 BXb5 23
BXc8 (or 23 cXb5 RcS) 23 ... BXa4 24 b3
BXb3 25 Rd3 a4.
22...
23Bb3
Be7
Rc7
24Rd3
25 b3
26Rcdl
27Qe3
28Kb2
29 h5!
Bb7
Bc6
Bf8
Qb7
Kh8
Play on the white squares. White has
methodically strengthened his position, and
now begins a K-side offensive, by carefully
preparing the invasion of his knight at d5.
Against this plan Black cannot undertake
anything, and he is obliged to stand still.
At this point Reshevsky was already short
of time.
29 ...
30Bf5
31Qf3
32Qg4
33Rf3
34Rcl
Kg8
Qb8
Re7
Qc7
Ree8
Re7
Black repeats moves. If 34 ... Qe7, then
35 Rc2 Qg5 36 Qh3, intending 37 Nd5 Bxd5
38 cxd5, followed by the invasion of the
rooks on the c-file.
35Nd5
36eXd5
BXd5
e4
The threat was 37 Bbl and 38 Qf5 (e4). The
pawn sacrifice allows Black to activate his
pieces somewhat.
37BXe4
38Bd3
39Kg2
Re5
Rde8
Qe7
If 39 ... Rg5, then 40 Qh3 Ree5 41 Bf5
RXd5 42 cXd5 QXcl 43 Be6!, with a
decisive attack.
40Rf5
41 RXel
42Rf3!
Rel
QXel
183

Games 92 & 93
The sealed move, threatening 43 Qf5.
If 42 ... Re5, then 43 Qd7 f6 44 Rxf6 Re7
45 Bh7+! KXh7 46 Qf5+, and mate is
inevitable.
42 ... Qe5 is also bad, because of 43 Re3.
Black is in a critical position.
42 ...
43Qf5
44hXg6
45QXf6
46Qf7+
47QXe7
Qe7
g6
f6
Bg7
Kh8
RXe7
Heavy sacrifices have enabled Black to
delay his defeat. Reshevsky puts up a
stubborn resistance, but the ending cannot be
saved.
48Rf4
49Rh4
50Kf3
51Rf4
52Bf5
53Bd7!
54Rf5
55gXb4
56Be6+
57 BH
58Kg4
59Rf3!
Kg8
Re5
h5
Re8
Bf6
Rf8
b4
Bxh4
Kg7
Rh8
Bf6
Opening a white-squared path for the king
to the Q-side. The end is near.
59 ...
60Kf5
Rhl
Rel
61Re3
62Ke6
63KXd6
Rfl
Bd4
Resign
No. 93 English Opening
SmysloT-Szab6
Buenos Aires, 1970
lc4
2Nf3
3Nc3
4d4
5NXd4
6NXc6
7g3
g6
Bg7
e5
eXd4
Nc6
bXc6
A good plan: the bishop has a great future
on the hl-a8 diagonal. The normal
continuation now is 7 ... Ne7 8 Bg2 0-0 9 0-0 d6
10 Qc2, when after b2-b3 and Bb2 White has
slightly the better chances.
7... Qe7
Black's idea is to play the queen to b4,
where it attacks the c4 pawn and increases
the Q-side pressure. However, the drawbacks
associated with the queen's early
development turn out to be more significant, and the
variation with 1 ... Qe7 has not stood the
test of time. In the present game Szabo
attempts to revive this half-forgotten
continuation.
8Bg2
90-0
Qb4
White completes his development, not
fearing 9 ... QXc4, which he is ready to
meet with 10 Bf4 d6 11 Rcl.
9 ...
10Qd3
Ne7
The start of an interesting counter; the
attack on the c-pawn is parried by
combinational means.
184

125 Selected Games
10 ... Ba6
11 Nb5! cxbS
12Bxa8 bxc4
13 Qe3!
Now White's intention is revealed. He
succeeds in removing his bishop from
captivity, since on 13 ... c6 there follows 14
Qxa7.
13 ... Qb6!
The best reply. After 14 Qxb6 axb6 15
BO Nf5 Black gains quite good chances by
playing his knight to d4.
14Bf3 QXe3
A more tense game results from 14 ... d5.
By the move played Black begins a forcing
variation, but overlooks an elegant refutation.
15 Bxe3 Bxb2
16 Rabl c3
17 Bel!
This strong manoeuvre clarifies the
situation to White's obvious advantage. If 17 ...
Bxcl, then 18 Rb8+ Nc8 19 RXcl, and the
passed c3 pawn is lost. In the resulting ending
Black still has some consolation in the form
of a pawn for the exchange.
17 ... d5
18 BXb2 cXb2
19 Rxb2 Kd7
20 Rdl c6
21Rb4
With the threat of 22 Ra4. The rook
occupies an active position on the fourth rank.
21 ... Ra8
Careful defence by Black makes it hard
for White to realize his material advantage,
and the technical phase still presents definite
difficulties. To achieve success, White must
weaken the opposing pawn centre.
22 e4! Kd6
23eXd5 cXdS
24 Rbd4 Bb7
25 Rbl Bc6
26 Rdb4 Kc7
The threat was 27 Rb8, with an exchange
of rooks, favourable for White.
27 g4 Rf8
28 R4b3! a5
29 Rel Nc8
On 29 ... Kd6 there could have followed
30 Rb6 Nc8 31 Ra6 a4 32 Bdl, or even 32
BXd5 Kxd5 33 Rdl+ Kc5 34 Rcl+, in
the end winning a pawn.
30 Rcl Ne7?
This loses immediately. Better was 30 ...
Kd6, when there would have followed 31
Rb8 Re8 (or 31 ...f6 32 Bel) 32 g5!, with
the threat of 33 Bg4, when White's advantage
is sufficient to win.
31 Re3 Resigns.
IRS

Games 94 & 95
If 31 ... Kd6, then 32 Rxe7, while on
31 ... Re8 White wins by 32 Bxd5! NXd5
33 Rxe8.
No. 94 King's Indian Defence
Smyslov-PolugayeYSky
Palma de Mallorca Interzonal, 1970
lNf3
2g3
3b3
4Bb2
Nf6
g6
Bg7
d6
Black chooses a King's Indian set-up, in
the hope of gaining a more active game than
by the fianchetto of his other bishop (... b6
and ... Bb7).
5d4
6Bg2
7dXe5
0-0
e5
Ng4
This leads to the exchange of queens and
to an ending where White has the better
prospects.
1 ... Nfd7 leads to a more complicated
game, when White can consider 8 Nc3 dXe5
9 0-0.
8h3 Nxe5
9NXe5 dxe5
10Qxd8 Rxd8
11 Nd2!
The opening has favoured White, and this
modest development of the knight reveals the
idea behind the exchange of queens. White
prepares Q-side castling, and gains an
advantage on the open d-file.
11...
12 0-0-0
13Nc4
14Na5
15Rd2
16Rhdl
Nd7
Re8
Nb6
Rb8
c6
f6
■ ■ ■■
£m. W&/.^wk
White has consistently carried out his plan,
and now intends to penetrate to the eighth
rank with his rook. The knight at a5 restricts
Black's Q-side activity. 16 ... Be6 fails to
17 Nxb7!, when after 17 ... Rxb7 18
Bxc6 Rb8 19 BXe8 Rxe8 20 Rd8! Black is
lost.
17Rd8 Kf7
18 RXe8 KXe8
19Ba3
Now the bishop threatens to penetrate to
d6, and 19 ... Bf8 fails to 20 Bxf8 KXf8
21 Rd8 + .
19 ...
20Bd6
21 c4
Nd5
Ra8
White increases the pressure, and clears
the way for his rook to the eighth rank.
21 ...
22Bc7
23Rd8
Ne7
Kf7
White has implemented his plan. Black
has been unable to complete his Q-side
development, and is doomed to a cheerless
defence.
23 ... f 5
24 c5
With the threat of 25 Nc4;
24 ... Nd5
25Bd6
186

125 Selected Games
Of course, White is not satisfied with 25
Bxd5 cxd5 26 Rxd5 Be6 27 Rd8 RXd8
28 Bxd8 Bd5, when Black can put up a
successful defence.
25 ...
26RT8+
27Nc4
Bf6
Kg7
e4
27 ... Nc3 was not possible, because of
28 Rxf6 Nxe2+ 29 Kd2 Kxf6 30 BXe5+
and 31 KXe2, with two minor pieces for
a rook.
28D
29Bxf3
30Kdl
31Kel
eXD
Bg5+
Nc3+
Nb5
After 31 ... Nxa2 32 Ne5 Nb4 33 Re8
White has a decisive attack.
32Re8
33Rh8
Kf7
Bf6
Black has no way of driving the rook off
the back rank. If 33 ... Kg7, then 34 Be5 +
Bf6 35 BXf6+ KXf6 36 Nd6! Nxd6 37
cXd6 Ke6 38 Rd8, and White wins.
34Ne5+
Of course, not 34 RXh7+ Kg8, when
Black gets rid of the troublesome rook.
34 ...
35Re8
Kg7
With the mating threat of 36 Bf8+, against
which 36 ... Nxd6 does not help, since
after 37 cxd6 Bxe5 37 Rxe5 Kf8 38 Re7
Black is in zugzwang.
35 ... h5
36 e3
By controlling the important d4 square,
White prepares to attack the knight by 37 a4.
36...
37NXc6!
Nc3
This fairly simple tactical blow shatters
Black's defences.
37...
38BXc6
39RXa8
40Rxa7+
41Ra6
bXc6
Bb7
Bxc6
Kg8
ing the advance of the c-pawn.
41 ...
42 c6
43 c7
44Ra8+
45Bb4
Bd5
Ne4
Bb7
Kf7
Resigns.
No. 95 Ruy Lopez
Hlibner-Smyslov
ma de Mallorca Interzonal, 1970
le4
2Nf3
3Bb5
4Ba4
5 0-O
6BXc6
e5
Nc6
a6
Nf6
Be7
With regard to the ideas contained in it,
this variation differs little from the exchange
variation 4 BXc6. It leads to a quiet positional
game with roughly equal chances.
6 ...
7d3
dXc6
Nd7
187

Games 95 & 96
8Nbd2 0-0
9Nc4 f6
10 Nh4 Nc5
11 f4
The normal continuation is 11 Nf5 Bxf5
12 eXf5 Re8. Hubner wants to obtain more
active play on the K-side, but his hopes are not
destined to be realized.
11... exf4
12 Rxf4
12 ... g6!
More promising than 12 ... g5 13 Nf5
Bxf5 (or 13 ... gXf4 14 Qg4+ Kf7 15
Qh5+, with a guaranteed draw) 14 Rxf5
Nxe4 15 Qf3, when for the pawn White
gains the initiative.
13 Be3 Ne6
14 Rg4?
White persists with his aggressive
intentions, whereas he should have been thinking
of safeguarding his position.
After 14 Rfl f5 15 eXf5 Ng7 16 Nf3 NXf5
17 Bf2 he could still have maintained the
balance.
14 ... Ng7
15 Nxg6
Consistent, but inadequate. However, there
was no longer any choice, since 15 Rg3 would
have been very strongly met by 15 ... f5!
15 ... BXg4!
Better than the problematic 15 ... hXg6
16 RXg6, when Black has to think of how to
defend his king.
16 NXe7+ QXe7
17QXg4 f5
Black opens lines, to bring his heavy pieces
into play as quickly as possible. His
advantage now becomes clearly apparent.
18Qg5 QXg5
19 BXg5 f Xe4
20 dxe4 Rae8
21 Nd2 Re5
22Be3 Ne6
This unusual arrangement of Black's
forces (Re5 and Ne6) enables him consistently
to improve his position. In this case a pawn
for the exchange is inadequate compensation,
and White is faced with a difficult defence.
23 Rfl RXfl +
24 Kxfl Rb5
This rook manoeuvre is aimed at
provoking an advance of the enemy pawns, and at
beginning active play on the Q-side. For
example: 25 b3 Ra5 26 a4 b5 17 aXb5 cXb5,
and the rook penetrates to al.
25Nc4
25 ... Nc5!
A well-thought-out manoeuvre, with the
aim of provoking the advance of the e-pawn.
If now 25 Na3, then 25 ... RXb2 26 BXc5
188

125 Selected Games
R X a2, and White loses his knight after 27 Ke2
b6 28 Be7 Kf7 etc.
26 e5
27Bf2
28Bg3
Ne6
Rd5
White has managed to parry the threat
of 28 ... b5, but is unable to prevent the
penetration of the rook into the heart of his
position.
28 ...
29Ke2
30 b3
31Na5
32Nc6
33Kd2
Rdl +
Rbl
b5
c5
Ral
RXa2
White's position is lost, and his further
resistance is merely of a symbolic nature.
34Bf2
35Kcl
36Kb2
37Bg3
38Nb8
39Nc6
40Nxa5
41Kc3
White resigns.
No. 96 Chigorin
Kf7
Ral +
Rhl
Rgl
a5
RXg2
Nd4
Ne2+
Defence
Gligoric-Smyslov
Amsterdam,
ld4
2c4
1971
65
Nc6
This paradoxical move, instead of the
logical reinforcement of the centre by 2 ... c6
or 2 ... e6, is one of Chigorin's original
opening ideas. The defence does not occur
very often in modern practice, although it
merits greater consideration, especially if
Black is aiming for active piece play.
3Nc3
4d5
dxc4
Ne5
A new and, no doubt, perfectly playable
continuation. In Chigorin's games 4 ... Na5
was usually played, and after 5 Qa4+ c6 6 b4
cxb3 7 axb3 e6 8 Bd2 NXb3 9 QXb3
exd5 Black gained three passed pawns for
the piece.
5Bf4
On encountering for the first time the
unexpected knight move, Gligoric avoids the
active 5 f4, and prefers a quieter system of
development.
5 ...
6Bg3
7dxe6
Ng6
e5
After 7 e4 Bd6 the white bishop at g3
would for a long time be shut out of the game.
7...
8Nf3
BXe6
After 8 Qxd8+ RXd8 9 BXc7 Rd7
material is equal, but Black has the better
development.
8...
9Nd4
10 e3
11BXC4
Nf6
Bd7
Bb4
0-0
The result of the opening is favourable for
Black. While White has been regaining his
pawn, Black has managed to complete his
189

Game 96
development, and now threatens 12 ... Ne4,
which was not possible before castling, in
view of Bxf7+ and Qb3 + .
12Qc2 c6
13 h3
Dictated by a desire to retain the two
bishops, but this committing decision leaves
White behind in development. 13 0-0 was
more sensible.
13 ... Qe7
14 0-0 Bxc3
15bXc3
Capturing with the pawn is forced, since
15 QXc3 is met by 15 ... Ne4 and 16 ...
NXg3. This reveals one of the drawbacks to
13 h3.
15 ... Ne4
16Bh2
The bishop has been preserved from
exchange, but now Black finds an active plan.
16 ... c5
17 NO
The knight returns to defend the K-side.
The alternative was 17 Nb5 Bc6 18 f3 Bxb5
19 BXb5 Nd6 20 Bxd6 Qxd6, when Black
retains a good position.
17 ... Bc6
Black's pieces are very promisingly placed.
His knight occupies a splendid square in the
centre, and from c6 his bishop exerts strong
pressure on the white king's position. With
his next move Gligoric prepares to evict the
knight from e4.
18Bd3 f5
Black sees through White's intention.
18 ... Rfe8 would have been met by 19 Ne5!,
relieving the unpleasant pressure.
19 Rfdl Rad8
20 Be2 Qf6
21RXd8 RXd8
22 Rcl h6
23Bd3
White goes totally onto the defensive.
He blocks the d-file, intending Nel and f2-f3,
which is not possible immediately because
of23 ... Rd2.
23 ... Kh8
24 Nel
Black has made all the useful preparatory
moves, and now begins a Q-side pawn
offensive.
24 ... c4!
25BXe4
Forced, since otherwise there follows
25 ... Rd2.
25... fXe4
On 25 ... Bxe4 Black has to reckon with
26 Qa4.
26 Qe2 b5
190

125 Selected Games
Black has gained a clear positional
advantage. He has more space, and controls
the d-file, on which he has an outpost at d3,
whereas White cannot transfer his knight via
c2 to d4 because of the threat to his c3 pawn.
27 Bg3 Ne7
28 Qb2 Nd5
Playing the knight to the centre increases
the pressure on the c3 pawn, and threatens
... M.
29 Qa3 a5!
30Kh2
After 30 QXa5 Ra8 the queen is
unexpectedly lost.
30... h5
31 h4 Qf8
32Qb2
The exchange of queens would not have
changed the character of the game, since
Black would have retained all the advantages
of his position. However, 31 ... Qf8 was not
played simply with the intention of going
into an ending. It prevented the possibility
by White of Qc5, with threats along the fifth
rank.
32 ... Nf 6
33 Kgl Ng4
34 Qe2 Qf6
Black keeps the c3 pawn under fire. He can
subsequently increase the pressure by ... Rd7
and ... Qd8, preparing the invasion of his
rook at d2. White is rapidly running out of
useful moves, so Gligoric attempts to regain
at least a little space, but in so doing he
compromises his K-side.
35 f3 exf3
36 gXf3 Ne5
37 e4 Nd3
38 Rc2 NXel
The simplest and clearest solution. Now
Black's rook becomes firmly established at
d3, and the opposite-coloured bishops merely
increase his attacking potential.
39 Bxel Rd3
40Kg2 Qg6+
41Bg3
Here the game was adjourned, and I
sealed my 41st move, which came as a surprise
to Gligoric.
41 ... Kh7!
This essentially places White in zugzwang,
since any move now worsens his position.
For example: 42 Kh2 Rxf3 43 Qxf3 Bxe4,
or 42 Qel Qf6, and White cannot
simultaneously defend his c3 and f3 pawns, or, finally,
42 Rd2 Bxe4 43 RXd3 cXd3!
There only remains the continuation which
occurred in the game.
42 Rcl Qf6
43 Bel Qf4
White resigns.
191

Game 97
It has required only three moves from the
resumption of the game to place White in
a critical position. His rook is attacked, and
in addition he is threatened with 44 ... Rxf3
45 Qxf3 BXe4.
17 b3 cxd4 18 bxc4d3, and the rook at al is
attacked.
Quite
No. 97 Pirc Defence
Smysloy-
-Timman
Amsterdam, 1971
lNf3
2d4
3e4
4Be2
5Nc3
60-0
a good plan:
change at f3 and then
d4 pawn
7Bg5
g<5
Bg7
d6
Nf6
0-0
Bg4
Black intends to
to put pressure on
ex-
the
This development of the bishop seems more
active than 7 Be3. Now Black is forced sooner
or later to play ... h.6, thus weakening his
castled position.
7 ...
8h3
9Bxf3
10Ne2
Nc6
Bxf3
Nd7
h6
In order to play the planned ... e5.
UBe3
12 c3
13Qb3
14Qc2
Timman plays the
e5
Nb6
Na5
Nac4
opening confidently
enough, and obtains counter-chances on the
Q-side.
15 Bel
16 NXd4
exd4
16 ... c5
This active move ensures Black play for his
pieces, but now his pawn formation contains
an irreparable weakness at d5.
17Nb3
The best reply, since 17 Ne2 is unpleasantly
met by 17 ... Ne5.
17 ... Qe7
18 Nd2 Rfe8
19NXC4 NXc4
20 Bf4 Rad8
21 Radl
White's position is the more pleasant.
He has the two bishops, and good prospects
on the d-file.
21 ...
22 b3
23Be2
24 a4
25RdS
b5
Ne5
a6
Qb7
The pressure on the backward pawn
becomes appreciable, and the doubling of
heavy pieces on the d-file is now threatened.
But Timman defends tenaciously,
demonstrating his tactical resourcefulness.
25...
26Be3
g5
I wanted to avoid the complications 26 Bg3 would have been met by 26 ... f5!
arising after 16 cXd4 c5. For example: followed by ... f4, but now on 26 ... f5
192

125 Selected Games
White can reply 27 Rfdl, defending the rook
at d5 and threatening 28 Bxc5.
26 ... Nc6
Hoping for 27 Rfdl b4 28 Rxd6 bxc3
with unclear complications, but White finds
an effective way of maintaining the initiative.
27axb5 axb5
28 b4!
Clearing the way for his bishops. Bad now is
28 ... cXb4 29 RXb5, or 28 ... c4 29 Rfdl,
with an excellent position.
28 ... Ne7
29 Rd2 cxb4
30cxb4 d5
31 Rfdl Rc8
32Bc5
32 Qb3 was tempting, but Black would
have replied 32 ... Rc3 (not 32 ... dxe4
33 Rd7) 33 Qbl dxe4 34 Rd7 Qc6 35 Rld6
Qa8 36 BXb5 Nf5, with counter-play.
32 ... Nc6
33Qb3
The capture of the b4 pawn was threatened.
33 ... d4
Black has avoided the opening of the d-file,
and has stabilized the position somewhat, but
the advantage is still with White. Black's
pawns at b5 and d4 are weak, and his king is
highly insecure.
34 Qd3 Rb8
35 Qbl Ra8
36Bd3 Be5
37 Ra2 Kg7
38 Qb3 R)<a2
Otherwise Whiteseizes the a-file by 39 Rdal.
39QXa2 Ra8
40Qe2
From here the queen not only threatens
the b5 pawn, but it can also be switched to
the K-side. The passive 40 ... Rb8 is met by
41 Ral, when Black is deprived of counter-
play, so Timman tries his last chance—at the
cost of a pawn he attempts to activate his
pieces.
40 ... Ra3
41 BXb5 d3!
The sealed move. Alternatives were bad,
e.g. 41 ...NXb442Bxb4Rb3(or«...d?
43 Qe3 Rb3 44 Qc5) 43 Qc4, and White
retains the advantage.
42 Bxd3 NXM
One gains the impression that Black has
escaped from his difficulties, since 43 Rbl is
parried by 43 ... Nxd3! 44 Rxb7 Ral + .
But White has a latent possibility of gaining
an advantage by a fine move, which I managed
to find in the interval between the round and
the evening adjournment session.
43 Bd6!!
193

Games 97, 98 & 99
The decisive manoeuvre. It is important to
dislodge the black bishop from e5, and this is
achieved by tactics: 43 ... NXd3 44 BXa3,
or 43 ... Bxd6 44 Qb2+ and 45 QXa3,
while if 43 ... Bd4, then 44 Bc4 Ral 45 RXal
Bxal 46 e5!, with a strong attack.
Qf7
43 ...
Ra5
The most reasonable defence.
44BXe5+
45Qb2
RXe5
f6
Black is forced into this new weakening of
his position, since otherwise he cannot escape
from the pin. On 45 ... Qe7 there could have
followed 46 Bb5! (with the threat of 47 Rd7)
46 ... Qc5 47 Rd5 etc.
46Rbl
47Bc4
48Bd5
49Qb8
Qd7
Nc6
Ne7
The point of the entire forcing manoeuvre.
Since 49 ... NXd5 loses to 50 Rb7, the
black pieces are forced into passive positions,
and are effectively shut out of the game.
49 ...
50Qa7
51Rb7
Qc8
Kg6
Exploiting the fact that f2 is protected, so
that there is no threat of perpetual check by
51 ... Qcl + .
51
Qf8
A mating finish results after 51... NXd5
52 Rg7+ Kh5 53 Qf7+ Kh4 54 g3+ Kxh3
55 Qh5 mate.
52Rb8
53Qa8
54Bc4
55Bd3
56 g3
57 KH
Qg7
Kh7
Rc5
Re5
h5
h4
58 g4!
59Rf8
59 ... Qg7 is decisively met by 60 Bc4.
No. 98 Zukertort Opening
Smyslov
-Adorjan
Amsterdam, 1971
lNf3
2b3
3Bb2
4e4
c5
Nf6
g«
I wanted to get away from the normal
opening systems. The main virtue of this
move is that it leads to original positions.
In the theoretical sense it is of no special
significance, and Black should be able to
equalize.
4 ... Bg7
5e5 Nd5
6 Nc3 NI4?
An unjustified attempt to complicate
matters, after which Black falls behind in
development. Better was 6 ... NXc3 7 BXc3
0-0 8 Bd3 Nc6, retaining equal chances.
7d4!
8g3
9NXd4
10 QXd4
UQe3
Nc6
cXd4
NXd4
Ne6
lvwA
194

125 Selected Games
The outcome of the opening is favourable
for White: he has a free game and good
attacking chances.
11 .. d6
12 f4!
12 exd6 Qxd6 13 Rdl was also
satisfactory, but I preferred the move in the game,
since there were tactical possibilities that I
hoped subsequently to be able to exploit.
12... dXe5
13Bb5+
This intermediate check is the point of
White's play. Since 13 ... Bd7 is bad because
of 14 0-0-0, Black is forced to move his king.
13 ... Kf8
14 f Xe5 Qd4!
Black was pinning his hopes on this move.
After the exchange of queens the e5 pawn is
lost, but I reckoned that for the pawn I
would gain a dangerous attack.
15QXd4 NXd4
16 0-0-0 Bxe5
17 Nd5 NXbS
If 17 ... Nc6, then 18 Bxc6 Bxb2 +
19 KXb2 bxc6 20 Nc7 Rb8 21 Rd8+ Kg7
22 Ne8+ Kh6 23 Rel e6 24 Nd6! Rxd8
25 Nxf7+ Kg7 26 NXd8, and one of the
black pawns is lost.
17 ... Nf3 was rather more tenacious,
although after 18 Ba3 Bd6 19 Bxd6 exd6
20 Nc7 Rb8 21 Rxd6 White's advantage is
undisputed.
18 Bxe5 f6
19 NXf6!
Destroying the pawn barriers in front of the
king. The play becomes forcing, and what
tells is Black's lack of development.
19 ... exf6
20 Rd8+ Kg7
On 20 ... Kf7 there would have followed
21 Rxh8 fxe4 22 Rfl+ Ke7 23 Rxh7+
Ke6 24 Rf8, when Black's pieces are pinned
on the back rank.
21 Bxf6+ Kxf6
22 RXh8 Kg7
23 Rd8 Nc7
24 Rel Resigns.
After 24 ... Bh3 25 RXa8 NXa8 26
Re7+, or 24 ... Kf6 25 Rfl+ Ke7 26 RfF8,
the game is decided.
No. 99 Dutch Defence
Portisch-Smyslov
Portoroz, 1971
ld4 f5
The choice of opening plays an important
role in one's creative approach to a game of
chess, and depends on the most diverse
factors. The Dutch Defence occurs rarely in
my games, but here I wanted to play actively
from the very first moves.
2g3
The 2 e4 gambit does not appeal to Portisch,
who prefers quiet development.
2 ... Nf 6
3Bg2 g6
The classical Dutch continuation is 3 ... e6,
whereas it is only more recently that the game
continuation has acquired theoretical
significance.
4 Nf3 Bg7
Sb3 0-0
6 Bb2 d5
Played in the spirit of the system known in
opening theory by the name of the 'stonewall'.
In the event of 6 ... d6 Black has to reckon
with the weakening of his e6 square, and after
195

Games 99 & 100
d4-d5 White gains the possibility of the
manoeuvre Nd4(g5)-e6.
7c4 c6
8 0-0 Be6
The development of the white-squared
bishop is one of the main problems in this
variation. Of course, I could have played
8 ... Kh8, preparing a retreat for the bishop
at g8, but I did not consider the following
knight attack to be dangerous.
9Ng5 Bf7
10 Nc3 Qe8
11 Qd3 h6
12NXf7 QXf7
13 f3
An active plan, preparing to open the centre
by e2-e4. 13 cxd5 cxd5 14 Qb5 was not
dangerous because of 14 ... e6, e.g. 15 Na4
Nc6 16 Nc5 Ne4!, and Black equalizes by the
attack on the d4 pawn.
13 ... Nbd7
14 e4
At first sight White's position seems
preferable. After exchanges on e4 the white
bishops will acquire formidable strength,
while on 14 ... e6 there follows 15 e5 Nh5
16 f4, with clear spatial gains.
14... dxc4!
15 bxc4 Nb6
Black's counter-play is based on a piece
attack against the white pawn centre. He
succeeds in finding a vulnerable spot in
White's pawn chain, and penetrates with his
knight to c4. If 16 d5, then 16 ... Nfd7,
when Black uses the e5 and c5 squares for
manoeuvring.
16 c5 Nc4
17 Bel
17 Rabl looks more flexible, retaining the
option of retreating the bishop to al.
17 ... Rad8
18 Rbl Nd7
Black methodically intensifies the pressure
on White's central pawns, while parrying the
threat of 19 Rxb7 by 19 ... NXc5.
If now 19 Ne2, then 19 ... NXc5 20 Qc2
RXd4 21 NXd4 BXd4+ 22 Khl Kh7, and
Black gains two pawns for the exchange.
19d5 b5!
Black has the initiative, and he succeeds in
maintaining his knight in its strong position.
On 20 cXb6 there follows 20 ... Ndxb6,
when White's d5 pawn is attacked.
20dXc6 NXc5
21 Qc2 a6
Here we can assess the results of this lively
middlegame. Of White's pawn centre there
remains only the passed pawn at c6, which is
more of a source of concern for him than a
strength, while Black's knights occupy active
196

125 Selected Games
posts on the Q-side. If 22 exf5, then 22 ...
QXf5 23 Qxf5 gXf5 24 Ne2 Rd6 25 f4 Ne4,
and the c6 pawn is doomed.
22 f4
23QXC3
24Bxe4
Bxc3!
NXe4
Thus the bishops have been unable to
display their long-range strength—in the
battle with the knights they have been forced
to give way. Indeed, if 24 Qc2, then 24... Qd5
25 c7 Rd7, with advantage to Black.
24...
25 a4
26axb5
27Bb2
fXe4
Qd5
aXb5
Or 27 Qb4 Qd4+ 28 Kg2 e3 29 Qxe7
Rfe8 30 Qb4 Qe4+ 31 Kgl e2 32 Rel Rdl,
and the attack is irresistible.
27...
28Bal
29 KM
30RM1
Rf6
Qc5+!
QXc6
Directed against the threat of... Rd2.
30 ...
31 Kgl
32Rxd2
33Qb3
34Qc3
e3+
Rd2!
exd2
Rd6
e5
Blocking the al-h8 diagonal. If now 35
fXe5, then 35 ... dl=Q 36 exd6 Qhl +
37 KXhl Qxfl mate.
35 Rdl
36 KM
37fXe5
White resigns.
Qc5+
Qe3
Rd3
No. 100 Queen's Indian Defence
Uhlmann-Smyslov
Alekhine MemorialTournament, Moscow 1971
lc4
2Nc3
3Nf3
4g3
5Bg2
60-0
7d4
8Bd2
Nf6
e6
b6
Bb7
Be7
0-0
Ne4
In recent times this at first sight
undistinguished move has become very popular, and
it occurred several times in the Alekhine
Memorial Tournament. The reason for this
would seem to lie not in any particular
theoretical value of the bishop manoeuvre,
which creates the threat of d4-d5, but rather
in a search for new paths.
8
d5
This natural reply ensures Black a good
game.
9cxd5 exd5
10 Rel
The alternative is 10 Ne5. Uhlmann prefers
a different plan, but fails to gain any opening
initiative.
10 ...
HBf4
12dXc5
Nd7
c5
NXc3!
Played at the appropriate moment. On 13
RXc3 Black can reply 13 ... bxc5, when
the rook at c3 is rather badly placed, in view
of the threat of ... d4.
13bXc3
Nxc5
Black has successfully solved his opening
problems. He has obtained good piece play,
with a strong point at e4 for his knight.
107

Games 100 & 101
14Be5
ISRel
16Qa4
17 c4
Re8
Ne4
a6
Essential, otherwise after ... b5 the c3
pawn could become a convenient target for
attack. But now the game is opened, and the
bishop at e5 is left somewhat hanging.
17 ...
18 e3
19QXc4
20Qe2?
Bc5
dXc4
Rc8
Uhlmann overlooks the impending danger.
Better was 20 Bh3, when I was intending to
reply 20 ... Bd5, and now:
a) 21 QXa6 Ra8 and ... RXa2, or
b) 21 Qc2 Rc6, maintaining the threat of
... Bxe3!, in each case with advantage to
Black.
c) 21 Qd3 (the soundest) 21 ... Be6 22
QXd8 RcXd8 23 BXe6 Rxe6, and the
chances are roughly equal.
20..
Nxf2!
A spectacular, although fairly simple
combinational blow, leading to interesting
tactical complications, favourable to Black.
21QXf2
22Bh3
Bxf3
Played in search of counter-chances, since
after 22 Qxf3 RXe5 White would simply be
a pawn down.
22
RXe5!
The most resolute continuation; the
exchange sacrifice promises Black a strong
attack. 22 ... Ra8 is less clear after 23 BXg7!
23BXc8
24Bh3
Bc6
If 24 BXa6, then 24 ... Qd5.
24 ... Qe8
Now the e3 pawn falls, and with it the
position of the white king collapses. On 25 Rc3
there follows 25 ... Bb4 26 RXc6 QXc6,
with a big advantage.
25Bg2
26Khl
RXe3!
Other replies similarly fail to save the game.
The attack now concludes with a fine finish,
as an interesting queen manoeuvre paves the
way for the black rook.
26...
27KXg2
58Kh3
29Kg2
30Kh3
White resigns.
BXg2+
Qe4+
Qe6+
Qd5+
Re6!
No. 101 English Opening
Furman-Smysiov
USSR Team Championship,
Rostov-on-Don,
lNf3
2c4
3d3
4e4
5g3
1971
Nf6
b6
c5
Nc6
g6
198

125 Selected Games
In this position the fianchetto of the black-
squared bishop seems to me the most logical.
Its development at e7 (after J ... e6) is less
active.
6Bg2
70-0
8Nc3
9h3
Bg7
0-0
d6
The tempting 9 e5 is refuted by 9 ... dXe5
10NXe5 NXe5 11 BXa8 Bg4 12 f3 Bh3, and
after any reply Black has a good game.
9 ...
lORbl
Rb8
It would be a mistake to play 10 d4 cXd4
11 NXd4 NXd4 12 Qxd4 Be6 13 Qd3
Qc8!, with a double attack.
10 ...
11 a3
12Ne2
13cXb5
a6
Nd7
b5
RXb5!
Much stronger than the routine 13 ... aX
b5, on which there could have followed 14 b4.
The capture with the rook gives Black active
play on the Q-side.
14 d4
15Nc3
16Be3
17Rel
a5
Rb8
Ba6
Bc4!
The bishop penetrates to the weakened b3
square. Now 18 Nd2 fails to 18 ... Bd3,
while 18 b3 is met by 18 ... cXd4 19 Nxd4
B X d4 20 B X d4 B X b3!, winning a pawn.
18Qd2
19dxc5
Bb3
dxc5
Retaining control over d4, and much
better than 19 ... NXc5 20 e5!
20Bh6
Wt. wm.<
IMS
IMAM
WlfrWi'Wffi
20 ...
Nde5!
By exchanges Black forcibly seizes the
d-file, and obtains the better prospects in the
ending.
21NXe5
On 21 Qxd8 there could have followed
21 ... Rfxd8 22 Bxg7 KXg7 23 NXe5
Nxe5 24 f4 Nc4 25 Re2 Rd3 26 Kf2 NXb2,
winning a pawn.
21 ...
22BXd2
23Rbcl
QXd2
BXe5
Bd4
By defending the c5 pawn, Black prepares
24 ... Ne5.
24Bf4
On 24 Ne2 there could have followed
24 ... Ne5 25 Nxd4 cXd4, when the threats
of 26 ... Nd3 and 26 ... Nc4 (26 Bfl fails to
26 ... Nf3+) together with the passed d-
pawn give Black the advantage.
24 ...
25BXe5
Ne5
This exchange is forced. On 25 Ne2 there
would have followed 25 ... Nd3 26 NXd4
cXd4 27 Bxb8 RXb8 28 Bfl NXel 29
RXel Bc2 30 Re2 RXb2 31 Rd2 Ra2, when
Black keeps his extra pawn.
25 ...
26Re2
Bxe5
e6
100

Games 101, 102 & 103
Taking d5 away from the knight, and
preparing to meet 27 f4 with 21 ... Bd4+ 28
Kh2 Bc4, with unceasing pressure.
27Bfl
28Rd2
29RXd8+
30Nb5
31Nc3
31 BXc4 loses to 31
On
31 ...
White resigns.
g5!
Rfd8
RXd8
c4
... Rc8.
Rd2
32 Rbl there follows 32
Bd4.
No. 102 Queen's Gambit
Smyslov-Karpov
39th USSR Championship, Leningrad, 1971
lc4
2Nf3
3Nc3
4cxd5
5e3
c5
Nf6
d5
Nxd5
e6
Here Black can also consider 5
transposing into the Griinfeld Defence.
g6,
6d4
7eXd4
8Bd3
90-0
10 Rel
cXd4
Be7
0-0
Nc6
By transposition of moves, a well-known
theoretical position has been reached. White
must aim for an attack on the K-side, but
Black's position is fairly solid, and his
defensive resources should not be under-estimated.
10
Nf6
10 ... Bf6 is known to be well met by 11
Be4.
11 a3 b6
12 Bc2 Bb7
13Qd3
White's battery of pieces is directed towards
the K-side, and against this Black should have
taken prophylactic measures with 13 ... g6.
13 ...
14Bg5
Rc8
14 d5! is more energetic, with the possible
variations:
a) 14 ... exd5 15 Bg5 g6 16 Rxe7
QXe7 17 Nxd5, when White wins the
queen for rook and knight.
b) 14 ... Na5 15 Bg5 Rxc3 (15 ... g6?
16 d6X) 16 bXc3 QXd5, when White has
the exchange for a pawn, although a
complicated game is still in prospect.
14...
ISRadI
16Bh6
g6
Nd5
Re8
17Ba4!
White is prepared to sacrifice a pawn, since
after 17 ... NXc3 18 bXc3 BXa3 19 c4 he
threatens 20 d5.
17 ... a6
18NXd5 QXd5
Of course, 18 ... eXd5 could not have
appealed to Black on positional grounds, but
now White's central pawn soon becomes
dangerous.
19 Qe3! Bf6
200

125 Selected Games
Interesting complications result after 19 ...
Qh5 20 d5 Bc5 {20 ... eXd5 21 QXb6)
21 Qf4 eXd5 22 Rxe8+ RXe8 23 g4 Qh3
24Ng5, and now:
a) 24 ... QXh6 25 Qxf7+ Kh8 26 QX
e8+ Kg7 27 Ne6+ Kf6 28 g5+.
b) 24 ... BXf2+ 25 Kxf2 Qh4+ 26 Kfl,
and wins.
c) 24 ... g5 25 NXg5 Qg6 26 Bc2, and
there is no defence.
20Bb3 Qh5
21 d5! Nd8
22 d6
The pawn has made a swift breakthrough,
and now 22 ... Bxf3 is met by 24 d7.
22 ... Rc5
23 d7 Re7
The only possibility of complicating White's
task was 23 ... Rf8.
24Qf4
The bishop at f6 is attacked, and if 24 ...
Rf5, then 25 Qb8.
24 ... Bg7
25Qb8 Qxh6
26Qxd8+ Bf8
27Re3
All the same Black cannot stop the passed
d-pawn, and so it is useful for White not to
allow the doubling of his pawns by the
exchange on f3.
27 ... Bc6
28QXf8+ Qxf8
29d8=Q Resigns.
No. 103 Griinfeld Defence
Pomar-Smyslov
Las Pabnas, 1972
1 d4 Nf6
2c4 g6
3Nc3 d5
4 Bf4 Bg7
5e3 c6
This natural move promises Black a
perfectly reasonable game. I did not wish to
go in for the thoroughly-studied variations
arising after 5 ... 0-06cXd5Nxd5 7Nxd5
QXd5 8 Bxc7, when Black has a choice
between going into a tolerable ending by
8 ... Na6 9 BXa6 QXg2 10 Qf3 Qxf3
11 Nxf3 bXa6, and aiming for quick
development by 8 ... Nc6.
6Nf3 0-0
7 Rcl Bg4
8 Qb3 Bxf3
This leaves the b7 pawn en prise, and Black
has to reckon with the reply 9 QXb7. He
could have retained a satisfactory position
by 8 ... Qb6 9 Ne5 Be6.
9gXf3
After some thought, Pomar decides against
the dubious capture of the pawn. Indeed,
after 9 QXb7 Bg4 10 QXa8 Qb6 the white
queen is in a highly dangerous situation, and
in the meantime Black develops a strong
counter-attack by threatening the b2 pawn.
9 ... Qd7
10Be5

Games 103 & 104
A quieter alternative was 10 cXd5 cXd5
11 Be5 Rd8, when the chances are roughly
equal, whereas now Black gains active play
by the advance of his Q-side pawns.
10... dxc4
11 B<c4 b5
12Be2
It was better to retreat the bishop to f 1, so
as then to play it to g2. The game could have
gone 12 Bfl a5 13 a4 b4 14 Nbl Nd5 15
BXg7 KXg7 16 Bg2 Na6 17 f4 e6 18 0-0
Rfc8, when Black prepares ... c5.
12 ... Qh3!
This blockading manoeuvre prevents
White's K-side castling, and his king is now
stuck in the centre.
13 f4 NM7
14Kd2 a5
15 a3 Rfd8
How swiftly Black's initiative has
developed ! He places his rook on the dangerous
file, creating the latent threat of 16 ... Nc5 17
Qc2 b4 and 18 ... Nce4+. White cannot
play 16 Kc2, since after 16 ... Nxe5 17
fXe5 a4 18 Qb4 Qf5+ 19 Kd2 Qxe5 he
loses an important pawn.
16Bd3 Qf3
17RT1 e6
18 Kc2 a4!
A simple and clear strategic plan. Since
19 Qb4 loses to 19 ... Nxe5 20 dXe5 Bf8,
the queen is driven back to a2, and for a long
time is shut out of the game. In the meantime
Black can intensify the pressure without
hindrance.
19 Qa2 Nd5
20NXd5
There is nothing better. If 20 Be4, then
20 ... Nxc3 21 Bxf3 Nxa2 22 Ral b4,
while on 20 Kb 1 there can follow 20 ... N X e5
21 fxe5 b4 22 Nxd5 b3 23 Ne7+ Kf8 24
Qal Rxd4 25 Rfdl RXd3 26 RXd3 Qe4
27 Rdl Rd8, with a decisive attack.
20... exd5
21 KM Rdc8
22Kal
In search of a safe refuge, the king has
made a lengthy journey from el to al, but
even here, in the very corner of the board, it
cannot find peace. After 22 Bxg7 KXg7
23 Kal there would have followed 23 ...
Rab8, with the idea of ... c5. But now a
position with opposite-coloured bishops is
reached, and events develop sharply.
22... NXe5
23 f Xe5 Rab8
24Rc2
ON)

125 Selected Games
24 ...
c5!
The Q-side pawn chain sets in motion.
Of course, White does not wish to allow ...
c4, cramping his position, but capturing the
c5 pawn leads to the activation of the
formidable bishop on the al-h8 diagonal.
25dxc5
26Rfcl
27axb4
28 c6
29Rd2
Bxe5
b4
RXb4
Rc7
d4!
The attack develops swiftly. White's passed
pawn is blockaded, and does not present any
danger, whereas the position of his king
is deteriorating.
30 Be2 Qf6!
31 exd4
If 31 f4, then 31 ... dxe3 32 fxe5 exd2
etc.
31 ...
White resigns.
Bf4
No. 104 English Opening
Smyslov-Mestel
Hastings, 1972-73
lc4
2Nc3
3Nf3
4g3
Nf6
e5
Nc6
Bb4
5Bg2
60-0
0-0
Re8
A perfectly possible move. More usual is
6 ... e4 and then 7 Nel Bxc3 8 dXc3 h6,
with a reasonable game for Black.
7Nd5
e4
Now this continuation is less justified.
Preferable is 7 ... NXd5 8 cXd5 Nd4.
8 Nel
9d3
d6
In this way White eliminates the e4 pawn,
and his bishop at g2 becomes active. The
subsequent events are virtually forced.
9 ...
lORXel
Bxel
exd3
UBg5
A highly promising pawn sacrifice, with
the aim of weakening Black's king position.
11...
12 Rxe2
13Qxe2
14 Nxf6+
15Bh4
dxe2
RXe2
Be6
gXf6
It was this position that White was aiming
for, assuming that for the pawn he would
have good attacking chances. It has led to
a lively game, where the white bishops art-
very strong.
15 ... Ne5
203

Games 104 & 105
The knight hastens to the assistance of its
king, to g6.
16 Bxb7
17Qh5
18Be4
19 b3
20Rel
Bxc4
Rb8
Ng6
Ba6
A glance at the board is sufficient to
reveal that all White's pieces have taken up
attacking positions. Now 20 ... Qe7? would
be met by 21 Qa5!; Black is forced to play
resourcefully.
20...
21Bd5!
Rb5
This move required a calculation of the
various combinational possibilities. On 21 ...
c6 White continues the attack strongly with
22 Qh6! (of course, not 22 Bxf7+Kg7),
and now:
a) 22 ... NXh4 23 Bxf7+ Kxf7 24
QXh7+ Kf8 25 Qh8+ Kf7 26 Qxd8
Nf3+ 27 Khl Nxel 28 Qd7+, with an
unrelenting attack.
b) 22 ... Rxd5 23 Bxf6 Qf8 24 Re8!
Rdl+ 25 Kg2 Bfl+ 26 Kf3Rd3+ 27Kg4
Be2+ 28 f3 Bxf3+ 29 Kh3, and the white
king escapes from the checks.
21 ...
22 a4!
Kg?
Trying to drive the rook off the fifth rank.
Now 22 ... Ra5 can be met by 23 Qdl, with
the threat of 24 b4, and 23 ... Nxh4 24
gXh4 does nothing to ease Black's defence.
22...
23BXH!
Rb4
Qd7
On 23 ... NXh4 White could have
continued 24 Re8 Nf3+ 25 Qxf3 Qd7 26 Rg8 +
Kxf7 27 Qd5+ Qe6 28 Rg7+, winning the
queen.
24 Bxg6 hXg6
25Bxf6+!
Destroying the last barriers. The bishop is
sacrificed to expose the black king, which
now sets off on a dangerous journey.
25 ... Kxf6
26 Qh8+ Kg5
27 f4+ Kg4
28Re3
A quiet move with terrible mating threats.
28 ... g5
29 Qb6 Rxf4
Forced, since on 29 ... gXf4 there follows
30 Qg6+ Kh3 31 Qh5 mate.
30gXf4
31Kf2
32 Qf6+
33Rg3+
34QXg5mate.
Kxf4
Qc6
Kg4
Kh4
No. 105 French Defence
Smyslov-Uhlmann
Capablanca Memorial Tournament,
Cienfuegos 1973
le4
2d4
3Nd2
e6
d5
I more usually develop my knight at c3,
but on this occasion I wanted to try out a new
204

125 Selected Games
continuation in the Tarrasch Variation, in
a line which Uhlmann frequently chooses.
3... c5
4exd5 exd5
5Bb5 + Nc6
On 5 ... Bd7 there could have followed
6 Qe2+ Qe7 7 Bxd7+ NXd7 8 dXc5 NXc5
9 Nb3, with the better prospects.
6 Qe2+ Be7
7 Ngf3 Nf6
8dXc5
White initiates an interesting plan, which
involves holding his pawn at c5. It turns out
to be by no means easy for Black to regain
the material.
8 ... 0-0
9Nb3 Re8
10 Be3 a6
Here White could have played 11 Bxc6,
but the retreat of the bishop to d3 looks the
most natural.
11 Bd3 Bg4
12 0-0-0!
This move is the main idea of the variation.
Castling on opposite sides lends sharpness
to the struggle.
12 ... Ne5
13 h3 Bxf3
14 gXf3 Qc7
15 Kbl Ned7
It now seems that the c5 pawn cannot be
defended, but White has a tactical means at
his disposal.
16 c4!
With the threat of 17 cXd5 NXd5 18
BXh7 + .
16... dXc4
17 BXc4 NXc5
Uhlmann went in for this variation only
after considerable thought; there appears to
be nothing better.
18BXH+ Kxf7
19 BXc5 b5
Depriving White's queen of the c4 square.
On 19 ... Bxc5 there would have followed
20 Qc4+ Kf8 21 NXc5, with an active
position.
20 Bxe7 RXe7
21 Qd3 Rd7
22 Qf5 Rad8
23Rcl
With the black king exposed, White's
chances are in the middlegame, and so it is
perfectly natural that he should avoid the
exchange of heavy pieces.
23 ... Qb6
24Rhel Rd5
On 24 ... Qxf2 there could have followed
25 Qe6+ Kf8 26 QXa6, with the threat of
27 Nc5.
25 Qc2 Qd6
This move cannot be approved, since now
White transfers his knight to a strong post
in the centre.
26Nc5
205

Games 105 & 106
Thanks to the threat of 27 Nb7, White does
not have to fear either 26 ... Rd2 or 26 ...
Rc8.
26...
27RXe8
28Ne4
29 Qb3!
Re8
KXe8
Qd7
The alternative, 29 Nxf6+ gXf6 30 Qc6,
appears less promising. I wanted to build up
an attack on the king. Now Black has few
useful moves, since his king is in danger.
29
a5
On 29 ... Qf5 White could have continued
30 Kal NXe4 31 Rel Kf8 32 fxe4 Qxf2
33 Qb4+ Qc5 34 Rfl-t- and 35 Qb3, with
a decisive attack.
30Qe3
31 a3
Kf7
This useful move is possible, since 31
Rdl failsto32Qb3 + .
31 ...
32NXf6
33Qh6
34 Kal
35Rgl
Rd3
gXf6
Qf5
Rd7
White has achieved his aim. His king is in
safety, whereas Black's has no shelter.
35...
36Qg7+
37 Qg8+
38 Rdl +
39Rcl +
a4
Ke6
Kd6
Kc7
Kb7
Or 39 ... Kb6 40 Qb8+ Rb7 41 Qd6 +
Ka7 42 Rc6.
40Qc8+
41 Rc7+
Ka7
Resigns
No. 106 Caro-Kann Defence
Ljubojevic-Smysloy
Petropolis Interzonal, 1973
le4
2d4
3eXd5
4c4
c6
d5
cxd5
This continuation is known to theory as
the Panov Attack. It occurred back in the
games of Alekhine and other foremost
grandmasters, and even today has not lost its
topicality, since it normally leads to a
complicated game with chances for both sides.
4 ...
5Nc3
6Nf3
7Bf4
Nf6
e6
Be7
White develops his pieces naturally. 7 c5 is
satisfactorily met by 7 ... Ne4, but 7 cXd5
Nxd5 8 Bd3 is perfectly possible, retaining
the initiative.
7 ...
8BXc4
90-0
dXc4
0-0
Nc6
It is interesting to note that this position
can also arise in the Queen's Gambit
Accepted: 1 d4 d5 2 c4 dXc4 3 Nf3 Nf6 4 e3 e6
5 Bxc4 c5 6 0-0 Be7 7 Nc3 cXd4 8 exd4
0-0 9 Bf4 Nc6. Such is the inter-connection
of opening ideas in chess.
lORcl
11 a3
12Ba2
a6
bS
Bb7
Development is complete, and it is time to
decide on a plan of subsequent action. The
isolated d-pawn is no adornment to White's
position in the endgame, but in the middle-
game it serves as a good support for pieces
deployed at e5 and c5. From this viewpoint,
206

125 Selected Games
White should avoid unnecessary exchanges,
as simplification favours Black.
13 d5
A radical solution to the problem: White
gets rid of his isolated pawn, and the game
becomes open with equal chances. More
restrained was 13 Qd3, retaining the tension
in the centre.
13... exd5
l4NXd5 Nxd5
15 B>d5 Rc8
16 Rel Bf6!
Such a move can be played, only if one is
confident in the triumph of defence, since
White has at his disposal a sharp attacking
possibility.
17 Bd6! Re8
The bishop is clearly immune, in view of
the answering check at f7.
18BXH+?!
The dashing Yugoslav grandmaster elects
to sacrifice a piece. To be fair, it should be
mentioned that White has a draw, but the
attempt to obtain more involves a serious
risk.
18... Kxf7
19 Qd5+ Kg6
20 RXe8?
The critical point! At any rate, it was more
sensible to play 20 Qd3+, and await Black's
, reply. If 20 ... Kf7, then 21 Qd5+, forcing
a repetition of moves, while after 20 ... Kh6
21 RXe8 QXe8 22 Qf5 Ne5 23 Qf4+ Kg6
24 NXe5+ BXe5 25 RXc8 Black gets into
; difficulties.
[ 20... QXe8
*' 21 Qd3+
l
This check is essential, since 21 Rel is
decisively refuted by 21 ... Nd4!
21 ... Kf7
22 Rel Ne7!
This modest defensive manoeuvre was not
[ estimated at its true worth by my young
opponent. Now Black creates a fairly sturdy
' screen around his king, and retains his
material advantage.
23 b4!
In trying to maintain the dying flames of
his attack, Ljubojevic displays great tactical
resourcefulness. The alternatives were
inadequate: 23 Qb3+ Bd5 24 RXe7+ QXe7
25 QXd5+ Qe6, or 23 Bxe7 Bxe7 24Ne5 +
Kg8 25 Qb3+ Kf8 26 Qe6 Rc7 27 Qf5 +
Bf6, and Black successfully repels the attack.
23 ... Qd8!
Another subtle defensive move, after which
White's reckless attack comes to a halt. At
first sight 23 ... BXf3, eliminating the
dangerous knight, seems to merit attention, but
after 24 Qxf3 Kg8 25 BXe7 Bxe7 26 Qb7
Kf8 27 RXe7! Rcl+ 28 Kh2 QXe7 29
Qb8+ Kf7 30 Qf4+ Qf6 31 QXcl a level
queen ending is reached.
Apart from 23 ... Qd81, there was a
satisfactory alternative in 23 ... Kg8, e.g.:
a) 24 Ng5 BXg5 25 hXg5 Qc6!, or
b) 24 BXe7 BXe7 25 Ng5 g6, and Black
has adequate defensive resources.
24Ng5+
207

Games 106 & 107
There is nothing better. If 24 Ne5+, then
24 ... Kg8 25 Qb3+ Nd5, or 24 RXe7+
Bxe7 25 Ne5+ Ke8, and Black wins.
24 ...
25hxg5
BXgS
Ng6!
Establishing control over e5. On 26 Qb3+
Black has 26 ... Rc4.
26 f4
27Kh2
Qb6+
Kg8
In the heat of the battle Black could even
have lost, had he been attracted by the
'attacking' 27 ... Qf2?, on which there would
have followed 28 Qf5+ Kg8 29 Qe6+ Kh8
30 QXc8+!, and White mates.
28Qb3+
29Re6
30Qg3
31 KXg3
Kh8
Qf2
QXg3+
Rd8
It was essential to take measures against
the threat of 32 f5, on which there would now
have followed 32 ... Bc8.
32Bc5
33Rc6
Bc8
BfS
An inaccuracy in time trouble. Black should
first have played 33 ... Kg8, and only then
activated his pieces.
34RXa6
3SBd6
36Rb6
Kg8
Kf7
Bd3
37 Rb7+
38Bb4
39Rb6+
Ke6
Rd7
Or 39 RXd7 Kxd7 40 Bc3 Ne7, and the
g7 pawn is immune because of ... Nf5 +.
39...
40Bd6
Kf5
Ne7
In this position the game was adjourned.
The ending is won for Black, since he has a
material advantage and his pieces are actively
placed.
41Be5
The sealed move. After 41 BXe7 RXe7
42 Rd6 (42 Rb8g6l) the simplest is 42 ... Bc4
43 Kf3 Be2+ 44 Kg3 Re3+ 45 Kf2 Rd3
46 Rb6 Rd2 etc.
41 ...
42 b3
Ke4
Ke3!
Things now become difficult for the white
king.
43 a4
44Kh2
45Rxb5
46Bb8
47Kh3
48Kh2
49Ba7+
White resigns.
Nf5+
Be4
Rd2
RXg2+
Rg3+
Rg4
Ke2
No. 107 Sicilian Defence
Smyslov-Hort
Petropolis Interzonal, 1973
le4
2Nf3
3d4
4NXd4
5Nc3
6Be2
70-0
8f4
c5
e6
cXd4
Nf6
d6
Be7
a6
208

125 Selected Games
A typical position from the Scheveningen
Variation has been reached. White has to
reckon with the possibility of 8 ... b5, which
would now be met by 9 Bf3.
8 ... 0-0
9Be3
9 Khl is possibly more exact, since all the
same White cannot get by without playing
g2-g4, and the bishop at e3 makes it more
difficult for him to carry out this plan.
9 ... Qc7
10 a4
This gains space for White, and also
restricts the mobility of Black's Q-side pieces.
10 ... b6
11 Bf3 Bb7
12 Qel Nbd7
13 Bf2 Rac8
Black fails to anticipate his opponent's
aggressive intentions on the K-side, and
allows the swift advance of the g-pawn.This
enables White to drive the black knight from
its active post at f6, and to establish firm
control over the central squares.
14 g4! Nc5
15 g5 Nfd7
16Rdl
Playing the rook to a good position is
associated here with the threat of 17 M,
which cannot be answered by 17 ... Nd3 18
RXd3, or by 17 ... Nb3 18 Nde2, when the
black knight is lost.
16 ... Nb8
17Be3
Under the cover of his solid pawn chain,
White sets about regrouping his pieces. First
of all the queen is transferred to g3.
17 ... Nc6
18 Qg3 Rfe8
19Bg2 Bf8
20Rf2
White continues to keep his pawns in
a state of total preparedness, and is in no
hurry to make the f4-f5 break. It is well
known that the threat is stronger than its
execution, especially when the opponent has
no active moves.
20 ... Qd7
Hoping to divert White from his active
plan by attacking the a4 pawn.
21Nf3!
Here the knight is very well placed, and is
ready to go to an even stronger position at g4
(after h2-h4 the manoeuvre Nh2-g4 will be
possible). However, Black leaves his queen at
d7, which allows the knight to arrive there
more quickly.
21 ... Nb4
22 Ne5 Qc7
23 Ng4 Nd7
24Bd4
Threatening 25 Nh6+.
24... eS
25 fxe5 NXeS
25 ... dxe5 can be met by 26 Be3, still
threatening Nh6+.
26 Rdfl Re7?
209

Games 107 & 108
This loses quickly. It was better to exchange
knights first, although even then the advance
of the h-pawn would have left Black in a
precarious position.
27BXe5
This exchange is the prelude to a
combination which demolishes the black king's
position.
27... dxe5
28 Nf6+ Kh8
29 Nxh7!
Re6
If 29 ... KXh7, then 30 g6+! fxg6
(30 ... Kg831gXf7+)3l RXf8,threatening
mate.
30RXf7 Bc5+
Or 30 ... Qc5+ 31 Khl KXh7 32 Qh3 +
and 33 QXe6.
31 Khl
32M8+
Re7
Resigns
No. 108 Ruy Lopez
Gheorghiu
-Smyslov
Petropolis Interzonal, 1973
le4
2Nf3
3Bb5
4BXc6
50-0
e5
Nc6
a6
dXc6
Qe7
I first played this interesting move in a
game with Bednarski (Skopje Olympiad,
1972), which continued 6 d4 eXd4 7 QXd4
Bg4 8 Bf4 BXf3 9 gxf3 Nf6 10 Nc3 Nh5
11 Bg3 Rd8, with a perfectly satisfactory
game for Black.
6b3
White can hardly hope to seize the initiative
in this way. The usual 6 d4 is better.
6 ... Bg4
7 h3 Bh5
8 Bb2 f 6
9d3 Nh6
10 Nbd2 g5!
With this active move, Black plans an
attack on the K-side, and, since h2-h3 has
been played, White has to reckon with the
possible threat of ... g4. To parry it, he
decides to block the position, but this involves
a further weakening.
11 g4 Bg6
12 d4
This move, by which White hopes to
undermine the pawn centre, fails to achieve its
aim: Black succeeds not only in reinforcing
his e5 pawn, but also in comfortably
developing his pieces. Preferable was 12 Nc4 0-0-0
13 Qe2 Nf7 14 Ne3, retaining a sound enough
position.
12 ... Nf7
13dXe5 fXe5
14 Nc4 Bg7
15 Nfd2 0-0-0
Now Black's advantage is clear. His king
is completely safe, whereas on the other wing
the unpleasant ... h5 is threatened. It is
interesting that such a sharp situation should
arise in the relatively quiet exchange variation
of the Ruy Lopez.
16 Qe2 h5
17 Ne3 hXg4
18 hXg4 Qf6!
210

125 Selected Games
A very strong manoeuvre, and perhaps
already decisive. From here the queen
threatens to penetrate to f4, and on 19 NfS there
follows 19 ... BXf5 20 eXf5 Qh6. The game
is barely out of the opening stage, and already
White has no satisfactory defence.
19 f3
20Ng2
Rh3!
If 20 Kg2, then 20 ... Qf4, and the rook
cannot be taken because of 21 ... Rh8+.
Also insufficient is 20 Qg2 Qf4, with the
possible variations:
a) 21 Nd5 RXd5 22 eXd5 Rg3.
b) 21 Nf5 Rdh8 22 Ne7+ Kb8 23 NXg6
Qe3+ 24Rf2Rhl + .
c) 21 QXh3 QXe3+ 22 Rf2 RXd2 23
Refl RXc2 24 Kg2 RXf2+ 25 RXf2
Bf8, followed by ... Bc5.
20...
21Kf2
Bf8
mum!
HP A HIP HP A Mi W
21
RXd2!
A pleasing, if rather obvious, exchange
sacrifice. The white king must now set off on
a risky journey, and Black's attack develops
freely.
22Qxd2
23Kel
24Qe2
25 c3
QXf3+
QXe4+
Bb4+
If 25 Kdl, then 25 .
27 Rgl Bc5 etc.
25 ...
26KXe2
27Kd2
28RXfl
.. Qd5+ 26 K
QXe2+
Bd3+
Bxfl
Bc5!
As a result of his determined offensive,
Black has won two pawns, which are bound
to ensure a win. After 29 RXf7 Rh2 he
regains his piece.
29 b4
30bXc5
31Kd3
32 Bel
33Rf5
34Kd4
35Be3
Rh2
RXg2 +
Nd8
RXg4
e4+
Kd7
Ke7
Black improves the position of his king, at
the same time forestalling any attempt at
activity by the opponent. Of course, the g5
pawn is taboo: 36 BXg5+ RXg5 37 RXg5
Ne6 + .
36Rfl Nf7
37 Rbl Ke6
38RXb7 Nh6!
This transfer of the knight to the key f5
square is the idea behind Black's re-grouping.
White's defensive lines are demolished, and
the e-pawn advances irresistibly.
39Kc4
40Bd4
41Kd3
NfS
e3
Rg2
H . wm
i i *
^P W/
m? wm.~>w.....r
III

Games 108, 109 & 110
In this position the game was adjourned.
Gheorghiu turned up for the resumption, just
so as to make one move.
42Rbl Rd2+
White resigns.
No. 109 Ruy Lopez
Keres-Smyslov
Petropolis
le4
2Nf3
3Bb5
4Ba4
50-0
6Rel
7Bb3
8c3
9h3
10Bc2
11 d4
12Nbd2
Interzonal, 1973
e5
Nc6
a6
Nf6
Be7
b5
0-0
d6
Na5
c5
Qc7
Re8
Up to here the game has developed in
strict accordance with the classical canons of
the Chigorin System, but now Black deviates
from the most analysed continuations, such
as 12 ... Nc6 or 12 ... Bd7. In our time it is
difficult to find something new in a long
familiar position, but Black nevertheless
attempts to carry out an original plan.
13 Nfl g6!
This move prepares the possible manoeuvre
... Bf8-g7, and also takes f5 away from the
white knight, in the event of it going to g3 or
e3.
14Bb6 Nc4
15Qcl
On 15 b3 there could have followed 15 ...
Na3 16 Bd3 c4, which gives Black definite
chances on the Q-side.
15... exd4
16 cXd4 cXd4
17 b3
The immediate capture on d4 (17 NXd4)
could have been met by 17 ... Nh5 and then
... Bf6.
17 ... Ne5
18 NXd4 Bb7
19 Qb2 RacS
After the pawn exchanges in the centre
Black has gained free play for his pieces, and
his one weakness at d6 is not particularly
significant. Keres should have been satisfied
with 20 Racl Qc3 21 QXc3 RXc3 22 Bbl,
with a roughly equal ending, but in avoiding
this continuation, White unexpectedly gets
into difficulties.
20 Radl d5!
This energetic advance activates Black's
game, and gives him good counter-chances.
Now the hanging position of the bishop at
c2 tells, especially in the variation 21 f4 Nc6.
21eXd5 NXd5
22 Bbl
In this situation, where Black's pieces have
become very active and his knight is
threatening to establish itself at the weakened c3
square, more effective measures should have
been considered. E.g. 22 f4!, with the possible
continuation 22 ... Bb4 23 RXe5 RXe5
24 fxe5 Bc3 25 Qcl Qb6 26 Be3 Nxe3 27
•>o

125 Selected Games
QXe3 Bxd4 28 Rxd4 Rxc2 29 Nd2 RXa2
30 Kh2, when White can still put up a
stubborn resistance. After the move in the game,
Black's initiative becomes menacing.
An inaccuracy, caused by time pressure.
37 ... Qh4 would have been immediately
decisive.
22 ...
23Bd2
24BXc3
25Rcl
Bb4
Bc3
NXc3
Qc5!
38Qxb4
39Qe7
40Qb7
41 b4
Rc8
Qe5
a5
There is already no reasonable reply.
26 Qd2 is met by the unpleasant pin 26 ...
Red8.
26Ne2
The sealed move. WWte resigned without
resuming.
No. 110 English Opening
Signrjonsson-Smyslov
Reykjavik, 1974
lc4
2Nc3
3Nf3
4g3
Nf6
e5
Nc6
Bb4
26...
Nf3+!
This system, first employed by me in a
game with Olafsson in 1959, promises Black
a good game.
This 'little' combination not only destroys
the white king's pawn screen, but also forces
the win of the exchange.
27 gXf3
28RXe2
29 Qxe2
30Kh2
31Be4
32Bd3
33Qe3
34Qd4
35Be4
If 35 Qxc3, then 35 .
Bb7+.
35...
36Ng3
37Kg2
RXe2
NXe2+
Qg5+
RXcl
Bc8
Qh5
Rc3
QXf3
. Qxf2+ 36 Khl
Qf4+
b4
Be6
5Bg2
60-0
7Ng5
8bXc3
9f3
Kd3 10exd3
9 ...
10Nxf3
HcXd5
0-0
e4!
Bxc3
Re8
is more solid.
exf3
d5
QXd5!
This queen manoeuvre constitutes the
idea of Black's counter-play. 11 ... NXd5 is
very strongly met by 12 e4!, answering
12 ... RXe4 with 13 Ng5, with an attack.
12Nd4
13NXc6
14 e3
Qh5
bXc6

Games 110 & 111
The c6 pawn is immune in view of 14
Qc5 + .
14 ...
15Qa4
16Rbl
Bg4
Re6
No. Ill King's Indian Defence
Smyslov-Olafsson
Reykjavik, 1974
ld4
2Nf3
3c4
4Nc3
Nf6
g6
Bg7
c5
I expected Olafsson to play his usual Griin-
feld Defence. The Icelandic grandmaster's
choice of opening indicates his desire to
complicate the game.
On 16 Bxc6 there could have followed
16 ... Rd8 17 Qb5 Qg6, when Black
continues the attack by ... h5-h4.
5e3
6dXc5
7Be2
8 0-0
9Nd4
0-0
Na6
NXc5
b6
16
Be2
Now White is faced with the problem of
where to move his rook.
17 Rf2 is met by 17 ... Ng4 18 BXc6
NXf2 19 BXa8 Nh3+ 20 Kg2 h6, when the
white king comes under a mating attack.
On 17 Rf4 there follows 17 ... g5 18Rfb4
Bf3, with play on the white squares.
With the aim of playing b2-b4. The
immediate 9 b4 does not work due to 9 ...
Nfe4 10 Nxe4 Nxe4 11 Nd4 Nc3, and after
exchanging on e2 Black obtains a
comfortable game.
17Rel
18 h3
Ng4
Qf5!
With a double attack on f2 and bl.
19 RXe2
20QXg4
21Kh2
22Qb4
23 c4
24Rf2
White resigns.
QXbl
QXcl +
Rd8
h6
Qdl
Qel
9 ...
10 b4
HNXe4
12Bb2
13 f3
14cXd5
15 e4!
Bb7
Nce4
NXe4
d5
Nd6
Bxd5
214

125 Selected Games
Restricting the opponent's white-squared
bishop. Now 15 ... Bc4 can be met by 16
Nc6 Qc7 17 BXg7 Bxe2 (or 17 ... KXg7
18 BXc4 Qxc6 19 Bd5) 18 QXe2 KXg7 19
b5, with a positional advantage.
If 15 ... Nc4, then 16 Bxc4 BXc4 17 Nc6!
Qd6 18 Qxd6 exd6 19 BXg7 KXg7 20
Rfdl, winning a pawn.
15 ...
16Qd2
17 Rfdl
Bb7
Rc8
Qe8
17 ... Nc4 favours White after 18 BXc4
RXc4 19 Nf5 QXd2 20 NXe7+ Kh8 21
BXg7+ KXg7 22 RXd2 RXb4 23 Rcl,
followed by the invasion of the seventh
rank.
18 a4
19BXc4
20Nb5
21 QXb2
22Rd7
Nc4
RXc4
BXb2
Qb8
a6
22 ... Bc6 was also to be considered. After
23 RXe7 BXb5 24 aXb5 Qd6 25 ReXa7
RXb4 Black equalizes.
23Na3
24Rd2
25Radl
26RXd2
27Nc2
On 27 ... Qf4 I was
Qe3+29Kfl.
28 b5
29aXb5
Rc7
Rd8
RXd2
Rc8
Bc6
intending 28 Nel
aXb5
Qf4
Black becomes carried away by chances of
an attack. 29 ... Be8 was preferable.
30Nd4
31Kfl
Qe3+
Be8
32 Nc6!
Destroying the co-ordination of the black
pieces. Now White obtains a far-advanced
passed pawn, since the exchange on c6 is
virtually forced.
32 ...
33 bXc6
34Rc2
35 e5
Bxc6
Qc5
Qd6
Qc7
Black had to reckon with the threat of
c6-c7.
36Qb5
37 Rcl
Ra8
Kg7
37 ... Ra5 would have been met by 38 Qd3,
when 38 ... RXe5 fails to 39 Qd7.
38 f4
39 h3
b5
h4
A risky advance—the pawn at h4 soon
becomes a target for attack.
40Qb2
41Qf2
e6
Rh8
As often happens with all mortals, after a
tense struggle Olafsson seals a poor move.
This passive defence of the pawn soon leads
Black to zugzwang. Better was 41 ... b5,
when Black activates his own passed pawn.
42 Kgl!
43Qc5
44Kh2
b5
Rb8

Games 111, 112 & 113
The white king is now completely safe, and
Black is in zugzwang. On 44 ... b4 there
follows 45 Qd6 Qa7 46 c7 Rc8 47 Qd8 Qb7 48
f5!, and if 48 ... b3 49 fXe6, or 48 ... gXf5
49 Rc4, with irresistible threats.
44...
45Rdl!
Qa5
Qa4
45 ... Rc8 is decisively met by 46 Qe7
Qc3 47 c7! Qg3+ (or 47 ... QXc7 48 Rd7)
48 Khl Qxf4 49 Qd7 Qa4 50 Rfl.
46 c7
47Kgl
48Rd8
QXf4+
Rc8
Resigns.
No. 112 Vienna Game
Suttles-Smyslov
Venice, 1974
le4
2Nc3
3f4
4eXd5
e5
Nf6
d5
This leads to variations more typical of the
King's Gambit.
4 ...
exf4
A perfectly possible reply, no less strong
than 4 ... e4.
5Bb5 +
6dXc6
7Be2
c6
bXc6
Right from the first moves Suttles has tried
to give the opening a distinctive twist. The
retreat of the bishop to c4 looks more
natural.
1 ... Bd6
8Nf3 0-0
9 0-0 Nbd7
10 Khl
White not only removes his king from the
dangerous gl-a7 diagonal, but also vacates gl
so as to regroup his minor pieces by Ngl and
Bf3.
10 ... Re8
11 b3 Bb7
12 a4 a6
A useful move, with the aim of controlling
b5 and preparing ... c5.
13 a5
14 Ngl
15Bf3
16 Nxf3
c5
Qc7
BXf3
16.
c4!
Black begins a Q-side action, with the aim
of opening lines and activating his pieces.
17bXc4
18Ra4
19Bb2
20Bal
QXc4
Qc7
Rab8
Rb4
With the exchange of rooks the a5 pawn
becomes defenceless, while the retreat of the
rook to a2 would be very passive.
21RXb4
22Ne2
BXM
BXa5
Black's first achievement: the material
balance has been disturbed.
23Nfd4
24Nf5
25Ned4
Nd5
f6
Ne5
OIA

125 Selected Games
A curious picture, with all the knights
grouped together in the centre. White is
aiming for an attack on the K-side, but
Black's position is solid, and it is highly
unpleasant for White that the pawn at f4 is still
very much alive.
26Qe2
Qd7!
A good defensive move, which not only
consolidates the position of Black's pieces,
but also attacks the knight at f5, and vacates
c7 for the black knight.
27 Qxa6
28Nd6
Bxd2
In search of complications, since otherwise
Black can develop his initiative without
difficulty. 28 Rdl is bad because of 28 ...
Ng4.
28 ... Rd8
29 N4f5 Nf7
By an exchange of pieces Black relieves the
tension.
If now 30 NXf7, then 30 ... KXf7 31
Qd3 Nb4 32 Qxd7+ RXd7 33 Rdl NXc2
34 Bc3 Rd3 35 BXd2 Ne3, and Black regains
his piece, retaining an advantage in pawns.
If immediately 30 Qd3, then 30 ... Nxd6
31 Qxd5+ (31NXd6QXd6 32 QXd2Ne3
33 Qxd6 Rxd6 34 Rcl NXc2) 31 ... Nf7
32 Qxd7 RXd7 33 Rdl Ng5, and if 34 Bc3
Ne4!
30 Rdl Nxd6
31 NXd6 QXd6
32 QXd6 RXd6
33 Rxd2 Rb6!
The outcome of all the adventures is an
ending with an extra pawn for Black, which is
sufficient for a win.
34Bd4
If 34 Kgl, then 34 ... Rbl + 35 Kf2 Ne3
36 Bd4 Nfl!, winning the h2 pawn.
35Bgl
Rbl +
Nc3
By blocking the passed pawn, Black
deprives his opponent of any counter-chances.
36 b3
37Kb2
38Rd7+
39Rc7
40Bf2
41Ba7
Kf7
g5
Kg6
Ne2
Rfl
h5
The white king is in a mating net. The
threat is 42 ... g4.
42 g4
43Kg2
White resigns.
fXg3+
Rel
No. 113 Griinfeld Defence
Smyslov-Korchnoi
USSR Spartakiad, Riga, 1975
lNf3
2d4
3c4
4g3
5Bg2
60-0
7cXd5
Nf6
g6
Bg7
0-0
c6
d5
cXd5
I happen to have played this symmetric
variation as Black in one of my matches with
Botvinnik. In a complicated positional
struggle White enjoys a slight initiative.
8Ne5
8 Nc3 has often been played, when the
relieving manoeuvre 8 ... Ne4 is possible.
8
Ng4
A more complicated game results from
8 ... Bf5 9 Nc3 Ne4 10 Bf4.

Games 113 & 114
9NXg4
10Nc3
11 b3
BXg4
Nc6
Be6
Black can also retreat his bishop to c8,
and on 12 e3 play 12 ... e6.
12 e3
13Bd2
Rc8
White's pieces are developed more naturally
whereas Black's bishop at e6 is
uncomfortably placed, and subsequently he cannot
avoid losing time with it, so as to clear the
way for the advance of his e-pawn.
13 ...
14Kh2
15Qa4
16 b4
Qd7
f6
Bf7
Somewhat premature, since it allows Black
to gain counter-play in the centre. Better was
16 Rfdl, when 16 ... e5 fails to 17 dXe5
fXe5 18 Nxd5 Bxd5 19 Bel, and White
regains his piece, remaining a pawn up.
16...
17 bS
18QXa7
e5!
Ne7
Both sides follow the intended path.
18 ...
19Qc5
20Qb4
Now Black wins back his
game.
Ra8
Rfc8
Rc4
pawn with a
good
21Qb2
22 exd4
23Ne2
24Bc3
eXd4
RXd4
Rda4
An active continuation, leading to an
exceptionally sharp situation. White has to
reckon with the consequences of 24 ... d4.
24...
25Bxd4
d4
RXa2
The battle has reached its height, with
Black's initiative on the a-file looking
dangerous. White cannot exchange rooks, since
he loses his knight. Instead, he leaves his
queen en prise ...
26 Rfel!
Now on 26 ... Rxb2 there follows 27
RXa8+ and28Bxb2.
26
f5
Outwardly a fine reply; now on 27 BXg7
there follows 27 ... RXb2.
To be considered was 26 ... Nf5, when
White could have played 27 Bc3, or even
27 Bxf6 Qe6 28 BXg7 RXb2 29 BXb2
RXal30BXal, with sufficient compensation
for the queen.
27Rxa2 RXa2
28Qc3 Bf8?
This retreat leads to a very difficult
position. 28 ... Rxe2 was bad because of 29
BXg7 RXel 30 Bh6, with inevitable mate,
918

125 Selected Games
but 28 ... Bxd4 29 Qxd4 Qxd4 30 NXd4
was preferable, although in the ending
White's chances are still better.
29 Qe3!
Black would appear to have overlooked
this move. 30 Qe5 is threatened, and 29 ...
Bg7 fails to 30 BXg7 KXg7 31 Nc3.
29 ...
30Nc3
31KXg2
Bd5
BXg2
White is not diverted by the possibility of
31 NXa2, when he has to reckon with
31 ... f4.
31 ...
32Qe5!
33Qh8
Ra8
Kf7
Qd6
1 ... h5 34Qh7+ Ke8 2
34Qxh7+
35Be5
36Re3
37Qh4
38Bf6
39 Bxe7
Ke8
Qe6
on
Rd8
Rd6
The simplest solution: White, with an
extra pawn, continues his attack.
39 ...
40Qh8+
BXe7
Qf8
On 40 ... Kd7 White wins by 41 Qb8.
41Qe5
Centralizing the queen. Now 41
loses to 42 Qxf6 RXf6 43 Nd5.
Qf6
41 ...
42Nd5
43 b4
44 h5
Kf7
Bd8
Kg8
Resigns.
44 ... gXh5 is met by 45 Rf3.
No. 114 Vienna Game
Lombardy-Smyslov
Teesside, 1975
le4
2Nc3
e5
This move came as a surprise to me. The
Vienna Game occurs rather rarely in modern
tournaments.
2 ...
3f4
4d3
Nf6
d5
In trying to avoid the normal variations,
the American grandmaster makes a move
which proves to be the initial cause of his
subsequent difficulties.
4 ...
5e5
exf4
d4!
Black seizes the initiative, and at such an
early stage of the game. Bad, for example, is
6 exf6 dxc3 7 fXg7 BXg7, with strong
threats.
6 Nce2 Nd5
7 Nxf4 Bb4+
Now on 8 Bd2 there follows" 8 ... Ne3!
White's king is deprived of the right to castle.
8Kf2
9Nf3
10Be2
Nc6
0-0
Ne3!
This vigorous continuation gives Black
excellent attacking chances. The white king
finds itself in a dangerous situation in the
centre of the board.
10 ... Re8 did not appeal to me, in view
of 11 NXd5 Qxd5 12 Bf4 Bg4 13 Rfl, when
White completes his development by 14 Kgl.
11 BXe3
12 KXe3
dXe3+
219

Games 114 & 115
After 12 Kgl NXe5 13 NXe5 Qd4 Black
regains his piece, and remains a pawn up
with a favourable position.
12... Bc5+!
This sharp move, which is logically followed
by the sacrifice of a piece for an attack, is
stronger than 12 ... g5 13 Nh5 g4 14 c3
gXf3 15 gxf3, with the threat of 16 Qgl +
and unclear complications.
13 d4
13 Kd2 is again met by 13 ... NXe5 14
NXe5 Qd4!
13 ... NXd4
14 Nxd4 Qg5
15 c3
The best reply, supporting the knight at d4.
15 ...
16Kf3
QXe5+
Rd8!
Occupying the important file. If White's
central bulwark at d4 should fall, the attack
on his king will become irresistible.
17 g3
On 17 Qd2 (so as to answer 17 ... Bxd4
with 18 Radl) there can follow 17 ... g5
18 Radl Qf6 19 g3 Bd6, when Black regains
his piece with a continuing attack.
17 ...
18Kg2
19cXd4
20Qel
BXd4
Bf5
RXd4
g5!
Black's attack has been crowned with
success. Now the white knight has no
convenient retreat square: 21 Nh5 is crushingly
met by 21 ... Re4 22 Kf2 Re8.
21Bf3
22 Rhxel
23gXf4
QXel
gXf4
RXf4
The game has gone into an ending where
Black is two pawns up.
24Re7
25 b3
26Kg3
Rc4
Rc2+
Be6!
Unexpectedly the rook at e7 is trapped.
The threat is 27 ... Kf8.
27 Rfl Rc3
Not 27 ... Kf8? 28 RXe6 fXe6 29 Be4+.
28 KM
29Bh5
30Kg5
Rd8
Rd4+
Kg7!
White's king is again in great danger. Mate
by 31 ... h6 is threatened, and he has to
give up rook for bishop.
31 RfXf7+ BXf7
32 RXf7+ Kg8
33 Rf5 Re3
34Bg4 c6
White resigns.
35 Kh4 is met by 35 ... Ree4 36 h3 Rd5,
forcing the exchange of rooks, since if the
rook moves Black wins a piece by 36 ... h5.
No. 115 English Opening
Smyslov-Castro
Biel Interzonal, 1976
lNf3
2b3
3Bb2
4g3
Nf6
g6
Bg7
b6
220

125 Selected Games
5Bg2 Bb7
60-0 c5
7c4 0-0
8Nc3
This characteristic position of the double
fianchetto system has occurred several times
in my games. My opponents have tried 8 ...
e6 and 8 ... Na6, with a complicated game
in which White retains the advantage of the
first move.
8 ... d5
After this advance White can virtually
force numerous exchanges, and can go into
an ending where he has the better chances.
9NXd5 NxdS
10 BXg7 KXg7
llcxd5 Qxd5
12 d4 cxd4
13Qxd4+ Qxd4
14 NXd4 BXg2
15KXg2
White has gained an advantage. His knight
occupies a strong post at d4, and Black's
Q-side pawns can be attacked.
In spite of its deceptive simplicity, the
ending is difficult for Black. I was able to
convince myself of this in my game with
Benko (Monte Carlo, 1969), which continued:
15 ... Rc8 16 Racl Nd7 17 Rfdl Nc5
18 b4 Na4 19 Nb5 RXcl 20 RXcl a5 21 a3
Rd8 22 Rc7 Rd5 23 Na7 axb4 24 aXb4 e6
25 Nc6 Rd2 (the threat was 26 e4, gaining
221
either e5 or d8 for the knight, and 25 ... Nc3
loses to 26 Ne7, with a double attack) 26 Ne5
RXe2 27 Nxf7 h5 28 Ng5+ Kf6 29 Kfl!
RXf2+ (forced, since after 29 ... Rb2 30 f4
Kf5 31 h3\, mate is inevitable) 30 Kxf2
KXg5 31 Ke3 Kg4 32 b5 Kh3 33 Rc4 Nb2
(or 33 ... Nc5 34 RXc5) 34 Rc2, and Black
resigned.
15 ... Na6
16 Rfdl Rfc8
17 Racl Kf6
18NbS!
The same knight manoeuvre to b5 also
occurred in the Smyslov-Benko game. Now
exceptionally accurate defence is demanded
of Black.
18 ... Nc5
Preferable was 18 ... RXcl 19 RXcl
Nc5 20 b4 Ne6, when Black can still resist.
19 b4 Ne6
20 RXc8 RXc8
21 NXa7 Rc2
On this active move Black was pinning
great hopes. Although he regains his pawn,
he does not succeed in equalizing.
22 a4 RXe2
23Nc8!
The white knight displays an enviable
capacity for work; it now takes over the
defence of the a4/b4 pawn pair. On 23 ...
Rb2 there follows 24 Nxb6, when the pawn
is immune due to the fork at d5.
23 ... b5
24 axb5 Rb2
25 Nb6 Nc7
26 Nd7+ Kg7
27 b6
The advance of the passed pawn is decisive.
27 ... Na6
28 Nc5 NXb4

Games 115, 116 & 117
29 b7
30Rd7
Nc6
Now the threat is 31 Na6 and 32 Rc7.
30 ... Na5
On 30 ... Rb5 there could have followed
31 Na6 Rb6 32 Rc7 RXa6 33 Rxc6 RXc6
34 b8=Q, when Black is unable to construct
a 'fortress'.
31 Rxe7
No. 116 Benoni Defence
Smyslov-Matanovic
Biel Interzonal, 1976
lc4
2d4
Nf6
b6
A rarely-played move, which allows White
to gain an advantage in the centre.
3Nc3
4Qc2
Bb7
c5
Matanovic was obviously aiming for a
complicated game. The usual continuation is
4 ... d5 5 cxd5 Nxd5 6 e4 NXc3 7 bXc3
e5 8 Nf3, with a sharp position where White
has fair attacking chances.
5d5 e5
6e4 d6
7g3
White has various ways of developing, but
the fianchetto of his king's bishop has the
merit of enabling him to attack the centre
without delay by f2-f4.
7 ...
8Bg2
9f4
10Nf3
110-0
12 a4
Be7
Bc8
a6
Qc7
Nbd7
A typical positional move, forestalling any
attempt by Black to free his game by ... b5.
As a result of his energetic opening play,
White has gained a big spatial advantage.
12 ...
13 a5!
Nf8
While Black is unhurriedly manoeuvring,
White breaks up his pawn chain.
13 ...
14 Qa4+
15fXe5
16QXa5
bxa5
N8d7
dxe5
The simplest solution. After the exchange
of queens the pawns at a6, c5 and e5 are weak,
giving White a positional advantage.
16...
17RXa5
18 Ra3!
QXa5
Rb8
So as to answer 18 ... Rb4 with 19 b3,
with the knight heading from f3 via el to d3.
18...
19Nel
20 h3
21Nd3
22 b3
23Be3
Bd6
h5
0-0
Nb6
Bb7
White consistently intensifies the pressure
on the c5 pawn, forcing Black to defend
passively.
222

125 Selected Games
23 ...
24Ra5
25Rfal
26R5a3
Rfc8
Nbd7
Bc7
White prefers to maintain the pressure, and
is not tempted by the exchange sacrifice on c5.
26...
27Bf3
28Ra5
The rook again
tion, tying Black
pawn.
28...
29Bdl
30Kg2
31Rla3
32 g4!
Bd6
Rc7
returns to its active posi-
to
the defence of the c5
Bc8
86
Kg7
Bb7
Having tied down the black pieces, White
takes active measures on the K-side—a typical
example of play on both wings. The threat is
33 g5.
32 ... hxg4
33 hXg4 Nh7
34 Na4 Rbc8
35Ra2
The rook heads for b2 to prepare b2-b4,
and if ... cXb4 then c4-c5.
35 ...
36Rb2
37 Bf3
38Kfl!
Be7
Nhf6
Nh7
f5
This impulsive move leads to the opening
of the game, which can only favour White.
Passive defence would also not have boded
well for Black.
39 gxf5
40Rg2+
41Bh5!
gXf5
Kf6
The black king unexpectedly finds itself
in a mating net. On 41 ... f4 there can follow
42 Bf2 Ng5 43 Bh4 Rg8 44 Bg4, with the
threat of 45 BXd7.
41 ...
42Nf2
43Nxe4+
fXe4
Ndf8
Here the game was adjourned, with White
making his last move openly. It is easy to see
that mate in three moves is inevitable: 43 ...
Kf5 44 Rf2+ KXe4 45 Ke2 and 46 Nc3
mate.
Therefore Black resigned.
No. 117 Sicilian Defence
Smyslov-Romanishin
44th USSR Championship, Premier League,
Moscow 1976
le4
2Nc3
c5
For a long time I have enjoyed playing
the white side of the Closed Variation of the
Sicilian Defence. It normally leads to an
interesting middlegame, where with locked
pawn chains White gains the clear prospect
of a K-side attack.
2 ...
3g3
4Bg2
5d3
6Nb3
Nc6
g6
Bg7
d6
223

Games 117 & 118
In this position I have tried various moves:
6 Be3, 6 f4, 6 Nge2 and 6 Nf3, as well as the
text move, which does not pretend to be
a theoretical revelation, but which has its
virtues.
6 ... h5
Romanishin aims for active play, and no
doubt hopes in this way to cast doubts on
the value of the knight's flank development.
7f4
8Qd2
9Ngl!
Bg4
Nd4
By returning the knight to its initial
position, White not only covers f3, but also
prepares h2-h3, advantageously driving back
the opposing bishop.
9 ...
Qd7(?)
9 ... Qa5 looks more natural. The
development of the queen at d7 is associated with
an unusual plan of Q-side castling. Play now
becomes very sharp.
10 h3
HNce2
12 g4
Be6
h4
f5
13 exf5
White finds a simple solution to the
position: he first opens the diagonal for his
white-squared bishop, and then by g4-g5 he
hinders the development of Black's K-side.
13...
14 g5
15 Nxd4
16Ne2
gXf5
0-0-0
cxd4
Bf7
Without making this retreat, Black is
unable to develop his knight.
17 c3 dxc3
18 bxc3 Kb8
19Rbl
The opening has turned out favourably for
White, who is the first to create direct threats
against the king.
19 ... d5
20 0-0
Here White had a choice of plan. After 20
d4, with the possible continuation 20 ... e6
21 Ba3 followed by the transfer of the knight
via cl to d3, he would have retained good
attacking chances. The continuation in the
game leads to more lively play.
20 ...
21fxe5
22 d4
23 c4!
24 c5
e5
Bxe5
Bc7
Ne7
To be considered was 24 Qb2, provoking
24 ... b6, but White plans to play his queen
toM.
24 ... Rdg8
25Qb4 Bd8
K^mmm
IgflJU
26 Rf3!
224

125 Selected Games
The switching of this rook along the third
rank leads to a decisive strengthening of
White's attack on the king. This decision
demanded correct calculation, since Black
gains active counter-play by attacking the
g5 pawn.
26
Nc6
The tempting 26 ... Bh5 is met by 27
Rfb3 BXe2 28 Qxb7+ QXb7 29 RXb7+
Kc8 30 Bf4, with a dangerous attack, for
example:
a) 30 ... Bc4 31 RXe7 BXe7 32 c6,
threatening mate at b8.
b) 30 ... Rg6 31 RXa7 Nc6 32 Ra8+
Kd7 33 Bxd5.
27Qb5
28Rfb3
29Nf4
BhS
Rg7
White does not allow his opponent a
respite. The energetic knight move demanded
exact calculation.
29
BXg5
29 ... Nxd4 would have been met by
30 Qxd7 Rxd7 31 Bb2! Nxb3 32 Bxh8
Nd2 33 Nxh5 Nxbl 34 g6, when the g-pawn
advances.
30NXh5
31Qe2!
RXh5
A subtle retreat. White attacks the rook
at h5, and opens the way for his rooks to
threaten b7.
31
BXcl
On 31 ... Rh8 there would have followed
32 BXg5 RXg5 33 RXb7+ Qxb7 34
RXb7+ Kxb7 35 Kh2 Rd8 36 Qe6! f4 37
Qf7+ Kc8 38 Qf6, and White wins.
32Rxb7+
33 Qe8+
QXb7
A necessary subtlety, after which Black
Will be forced to capture on b7 with his king.
33...
34 RXb7+
35Q_Xh5
36Kfl
37Qh8
38Qe8
An interesting struggle,
tional points.
Kc7
Kxb7
NXd4
Be3
Rd7
Resigns.
full of combina-
No. 118 Sicilian Defence
Smydov-Grigorian
44th USSR Championship, Premier League,
Moscow, 1976
le4
2Nf3
3d4
4Nxd4
5Nc3
6Be2
Tastes differ, but I
tional continuation,
c5
d6
cxd4
Nf6
a6
usually prefer this posi-
rather than the Rauzer
Attack with the development of the bishop
atg5.
6...
70-0
8f4
9 a4
e6
Qc7
Nbd7
A position typical of the Scheveningen
Variation has been reached. White prevents
... b5, with the aim of restricting Black's
Q-side initiative.
9 ...
10Bf3
HQe2
b6
Bb7
e5
225

Games 118 & 119
This looks premature, since Black, with
his development not yet complete, begins
play in the centre. The situation now becomes
extremely sharp.
12Nd5!
An interesting plan of attack, the tactical
justification of which is 12 ... Qc5 13 b4!
QXd4+ 14 Be3Qb2 15 Rfbl, when the queen
is trapped.
Also good was 12 Nf5 g6 13 fXe5 NXe5
14 Nh6, preventing Black's K-side castling.
12... Nxd5
13eXd5 g6
14Nc6
Thus the knight has penetrated to c6
supporting the attack on e5. The alternative
was the sharper 14 Ra3, and at the board it
was not easy to decide which was the more
effective. I could not see any clear advantage
in the complications resulting after 14 ...
Bg7 15 Rc3 Nc5 16 b4 0-0 17 fXe5 dXe5
18 bXc5 (or 18 Nb3 e4l, and the rook at c3 is
hanging) 18 ... eXd4 19 d6 Bxf3 20 Qxf3
Qd7. The white rook is attacked, and Black
gains time for counter-play, for example:
a) 21 Rc4 Qe6 22 Qd3 bXc5.
b) 21 Rb3 bXc5 22 Qd5 Qe6 23 Qxe6
fXe6 25 Bg5 Rxfl+ 25 Kxfl h6 26 Be7
Bf8.
c) 21 c6 Qxd6 22 Ba3 Qe6 23 BXf8 dXc3
24 BXg7 KXg7 25 QXc3 + f6!, and if now
26 Rdl, then 26 ... Rc8 27 Rd7+ Kg8, or
26 Rbl Rd8 27 c7 Rc8 28 Rb4 Qe5!, and
after the exchange of queens a drawn rook
ending is reached.
14... Bg7
15 fxe5 NXe5
16NXe5 BXe5
Now the king is stuck in the centre, but the
bishop at e5 becomes the bulwark of Black's
defences. Less good is 16 ... dXe5 17 d6
Qd7 18 Bh6, when loss of material is
inevitable.
17Bh6
17 ... f6!
The king will be less dangerously placed at
f7 than after 17 ... 0-0-0 18 Be3 BXb2
19 Ra2 Bc3 20 Rbl Ba5 21 Rab2, when White
has good prospects on the b-file.
18 c4 Kf7
19Bg4
With the unequivocal intention of
establishing the bishop at e6.
19 ... Bc8
20BXC8 RaXc8?
Up till now Grigorian has defended very
carefully, but this mistake leads to his defeat.
He should have played 20 ... QXc8, when
after 21 Be3 Rhe8 22 Qd3 Rab8 23 Ra2,
followed by 24 b3, White switches his rook
226

125 Selected Games
to the K-side, with a complicated positional
game in prospect.
21Rxf6+!»
An unexpected blow, which comes like
a bolt from the blue. This spectacular rock
sacrifice gives White an irresistible attack.
Since 21 ... BXf6 loses to 22 Qe6 mate,
Black is forced to take with the king, straight
into danger.
21 ...
22Qg4!
Kxf6
A 'quiet' move, with the same terrible
threat of 23 Qe6 mate.
Qc5+
Ke7
22 ...
23Khl
24Bg5+
If 24 ... Bf6, then 25 Rel + Kd8 26 BX
fl>+ Kc7 27 BXh8 Rxh8 28 Re7+ Kb8 29
Qd7, and mate is inevitable.
No. 119 Ruy Lopez
Tal-Smyslov
45th USSR Championship, Premier League,
Leningrad 1977
le4
2ND
3Bb5
4Ba4
50-0
e5
Nc6
a6
Nf6
NXe4
I have rarely played the Open Variation,
and in the present game I did not employ it
with the intention of following the well-
trodden paths of opening theory. I had
prepared an innovation, which I decided to try.
6d4
b5
Apart from this move, opening theory also
gives the old continuation 6 ... Be7 and
then 7 Qe2 f5 8 dxe5. This position did not
appeal to me, since the early advance of the
f-pawn is too committing.
7Bb3
Be7
As is well known, Black usually plays here
7 ... d5 8 dXe5 Be6. This was the first
occasion on which 7 ... Be7 was played.
At any rate, I had not seen this move in any
tournament bulletins or opening guides. If
now 8 Rel, then 8 ... d5 9 dXe5 Be6, or 8
Qe2 d5 9 dXe5 Na5, and in both cases Black
has a reasonable game.
8Nxe5
It is natural that Tal should choose the
path which promises a direct attack on the
king. Also to be considered was the positional
continuation 8 dXe5, so as to answer 8 ...
Nc5 with 9 Nc3 or 9 Bd5.
8 ...
9dXe5
10Qg4
Nxe5
Bb7
0-0

Game 119
I was not afraid of 11 Bh6, since after
11 ... Ng5 or 11 ... Bg5 the mating threats
are parried.
II Nc3 is also not dangerous, in view of
11 ... Nxc3 12 Bh6 Bf6! 13 exf6 QXf6
14 Bg5 Qd4!, and again White's threats are
parried.
11 f3 Ng5
I did not want to win the exchange by
11 ... Bc5+ 12 Khl h5! (or 12 ... Nf2+
13 RXf2 BX/2 14 BgS, with the threat of
Bf6) 13 Qxh5 Nf2+ 14 Rxf2 BXf2 15
Bg5 Qe8 16 Bf6, when White has an attack,
and after 16 ... gXf6 there is at least
perpetual check.
12 f4
Tal is unable to restrain his temperament,
and he begins a swift pawn advance on the
K-side.
On the solid 12 Nc3 there could have
followed 12 ... Kh8 13 f4 f5! 14 eXf6
Bc5 + 15 Khl Qxf6, when Black's pieces are
excellently developed.
12 ... Ne4
13 f5? Kh8
More exact was 13 ... Bc5+ 14 Khl Kh8,
practically forcing White to give up the
exchange without adequate compensation. Now
by 14 Be3 White could have avoided
immediate loss of material, Black retaining the
initiative after 14 ... f6.
14Rf3
Disregarding the development of his Q-side.
This attacking attempt leads to double-
edged play, since White's king also finds
itself in danger.
14 ... Bc5+
15 HI
Forced, since on 15 Be3 there would have
followed 15 ... Qe7, when the e5 pawn
cannot be defended, while after 16 f6 gXf6
17 exf6 Nxf6 White loses material.
15 ... d6
Now White ends up in a critical position:
Black advantageously opens up the game,
and the white king comes under attack. 16
Nc3 fails to 16 ... dxe5 17 Rd3 Nf2 18
RXd8 NXg4, with a decisive advantage.
16 f6
16 ... g6
This shows that Black is not satisfied with
the draw resulting from 16 ... gXf6 17 Rh3
fXe5 18 Rxh7+ KXh7 19 Qh5+ Kg8
20 Qg6+, with perpetual check.
In making the move in the game, I
justifiably assumed that the strong position of the
black pieces in the centre would enable me
to count on an advantage in all the resulting
complications.
17QH4
On 17 Bh6 there would have followed
17 ... dxe5 18 Bg7+ Kg8 19 Rd3, when
Black has 19 ... NXf6 20 RXd8 NXg4
21 BXf8 NXh2+ 22 Ke2 Rxd8 23 BXc5
Bxg2, with four passed pawns for the piece.
17 ... dxe5
After the opening of the d-file, mate by the
queen on the back rank is threatened, and it
ooo

125 Selected Games
turns out that Black's counter-attack
outstrips White's threats on the K-side.
18Ke2
No better was 18 Kel Qd4 19 Be3 QXe3
20 Rxe3 BXe3, with an excellent position
for Black, who threatens both 21 ... Bf2+
and 21 ... Bg5.
If simply 18 c3, then 18 ... g5! 19 Qh6
Rg8 20Rh3Qxf6+.
18
Qd4!
By the threat of 19 ... Nc3 + , with a
discovered attack on the white queen, Black
gains an important tempo for the attack.
19Rh3
19 Qh6 would have been met by 19 ...
Nxf6 20 Rxf6 Qg4+ 21 Kel Qe4+ 22 Kdl
Rad8+ 23 Nd2 Qxg2, with an irresistible
attack.
19 ... Qf2+
20Qxf2 NXf2
21Rh4 Ne4
After the exchange of queens the f6 pawn
falls, and with its disappearance White is
denied any prospect of an attack.
22Bh6
23Bxf8
Nxf6
RXf8
The result of the wild complications is an
ending where Black has two pawns for the
exchange, and the white pieces are disunited.
The position can be assessed as won for Black.
24Kfl
RdS
Threatening 25 .
there follows 25 ..
25 c4
26RH3
27Rc3
28Rcl
.. Rdl + ,andon25Nc3
. Rd2.
g5
g4
b4
Rd4
Black's initiative grows unimpeded. He now
threatens 29 ... Rf4+.
29 g3
Bf3!
In this way Black prevents 30 Rdl, and the
white knight remains motionless at bl almost
to the end of the game.
30 a3
31aXb4
32Ra5
a5
axb4
Nd7
This was the set-up that Black was aiming
for. Now on 33 Ba4 there follows 33 ... Bb6
34 Rb5 Nc5 35 R X b4 Nd3.
33Bc2
34Rel
e4
If 34 Ba4, then 34 ... e3! 35 Bxd7 Rdl + ,
and mate in two moves.
34 ...
35 Ra8+
Bb6
No better is 35 Rd5 Rxd5 36 cXd5 e3,
when the knight at bl still cannot come into
play.
35 ...
36Rd8
37Ba4
38RXd4
39Nd2
Kg7
f5
Ne5
Bxd4
At last the white knight has gained the
opportunity to move, but now the Q-side
pawns are lost.

Games 119 & 120
39 ...
40Nb3
White resigns.
Bxb2
Bc3
No. 120 Reti Opening
Evans-Smyslov
Sao Paulo, 1978
lc4
2Nf3
3b3
4cXd5
c6
d5
Bg4
cXd5
4 ... Bxf3 5 gXf3 cxd5 was also perfectly
playable, but I was not afraid of the knight
going to e5.
5Ne5
6e3
7Qf3
Bf5
Nf6
An interesting plan, which creates tactical
threats on the K-side. Of course, the simple
7 Bb2 is more in accordance with the
principles of development, but right from the
opening White is aiming for a sharp game.
7 ...
8Bb5+
9Bb2
e6
NM7
a6
This reply, clarifying the situation,
demanded exact calculation.
10BXd7+
11 NXH!?
NXd7
A tempting sacrifice of the knight, which for
a long time has been 'hanging' over the black
king's position, but it does not achieve
anything real.
11...
12 g4
13 gXf5
14QXf5+
KXf7
Qg5
QXf5
There is no point in avoiding the exchange
of queens by 14 Qg3, since after 14 ... Rc8
Black's chances are clearly better.
14 ...
15Nc3
eXf5
By-passing the middlegame, the game has
gone straight into an ending. At this point
Evans seemed to be happy with his position,
but Black's next move forced him to think
again.
15 ... Nc5!
It turns out that the initiative is with Black.
The knight check at d3 is threatened, and if
16 Ke2, then 16 ... d4! 17 eXd4 Re8+
18 Kf3 (or 18 Kdl Nd3 19Kc2Nb4+ 2010)1
g6 21 a3 Nd3) 18 ... Nd3 19 Rabl g5, with
the better game.
16Ndl
17Ke2
18Rcl
19 BXcl
20Nb2
21 Kdl
Rc8
Ne6
RXcl
Be7
Rc8
White defends tenaciously, preventing the
activation of the black rook on the c-file.
But even so he is unable to equalize, since his
pieces are passively placed.
21 ...
22 f 3
Nc5
22
d4!
■>an

125 Selected Games
In this way Black improves his position,
and White's central pawns become weak.
23e;<d4
24 d5
25Nc4
26Bb2
27Rel
28Bxf6
Ne6
Nf4
Nxd5
Rd8
Bf6
To be considered was 28 Ne5+, although
even in this case Black retains the advantage
after 28 ... Kg8 29 a3 Nc7 30 Kc2 Nb5
followed by ... Nd4. But now, after the
exchange of bishops, the black king becomes
active.
28... Kxf6
29 a3 Nc3+
30Kc2 Nb5
31 Re3 h5!
The start of a K-side pawn offensive. At the
same time Black threatens to manoeuvre his
rook via d4 to h4.
32 Rd3 Nd4+
33 Kc3 Ne2+
34 Kc2 Rd4
The rook heads along the planned route to
h4. This places White in a critical position,
since it is difficult for him to defend his broken
pawns.
35 Re3 Ngl!
36Kdl
The king approaches the h-pawn, so as
after 36 ... Rh4 37 Kel Rxh2 to seek
counter-chances by 38 d4. Not wishing to
allow White any possibility of active play, I
preferred a more methodical plan of realizing
my advantage.
36 ... f 4
37Rc3 g5
38 Eel g4
39fXg4 hXg4
40Kf2 Nf3
41 h3 Ng5
Following 36 ... f4 the events have been
virtually forced. Now Black wins the
exchange, and obtains an advantage sufficient
for victory. The alternative was 41 ... Nxd2
42 Nxd2 Rxd2+ 43 Kel Ra2 44 hxg4
Kg5, when Black again retains the advantage.
Which path is better? This question can
sometimes be of an emotional nature. Here
I preferred to go into the ending with rook
against knight.
42 hXg4
43Kf3
44dxc3
45Kxf4
Ne4+
NXc3
Rd3+
RXc3
46Nd2
In trying to retain his Q-side pawns, White
loses his passed g-pawn. But after 46 g5+
there follows 46 ... Ke7 47 Ke5 Rxb3
48 g6 (or 48 a4 b5 49 aXb5 RXb5+, and
50 Kf4 fails to 50 ... Rb4) 48 ... b5 49
Nd6 Kf8! 50 Kf6 RXa3 51 Nf5 Rf3, and
Black wins.
46
Ke7!
Weaker is 46 ... Rd3 47 Ne4+ Ke7 48
Nc5 Rc3 49 NXb7 Rxb3 50 Nc5 Rxa3
51 Ke5 a5 52 Kd4! Kd6 53 Ne4+ Kc6 54 g5
a4 55 g6 Ral 56 Ke5, when the g-pawn
becomes dangerous.
47Ke4
48Nf3
Rg3
231

Games 120 & 121
White is forced to part with his passed
pawn, since on 48 Kf4 there follows 48 ...
Rd3.
48 ...
49Kd5
50Nd4
51Kc4
RXg4
Rg3
Rg5+
Kd6
This ending is won for Black, although it
takes some time to drive the opposing pieces
into unfavourable positions.
52 a4
53Kc3
54Nc2
55Ne3+
56Nc2
57Kb2
58Na3
59 Nc2+
60NM+
61Nd5
Rg4
Kd5
Rh4
Kc5
Rh3+
Kd5
Kd4
Kd3
Kd2
Rh6
Black prevents the knight from going via
b6 to c4, and intends to use his rook on the
c-file.
62Nb4
63Nc2
64Nd4
65Nf3+
66Nd4+
67Ne6
68Ka3
Rd6
Rc6
Rc5
Ke2
Kd3
Rc2+
a5!
Now White's king is trapped, and he is
reduced to knight moves.
69Nd8
Kc3
The most forceful. Black gives up a pawn
to create a mating net around the enemy king.
70 Nxb7
Or 70 Ne6 Rb2 71 Nd4 b6 72 Nb5+ Kc2
73 Nd4+ Kbl, and mate next move.
70...
71Ka2
Rcl
Kb4
72Nd6
73 Kbl
74Nb7
75NXa5+
White resigns.
Rc2+
Kxb3
Rc7!
KXa4
No. 121 Griinfeld Defence
Keene-Smyslov
Buenos Aires,
ld4
2c4
3Nc3
4Nf3
5Qb3
1978
Nf6
g6
d5
Bg7
One of the most problematic lines in the
Griinfeld Defence. After 5 ... dxc4 White
has a strong pawn centre, but his queen at c4
comes under attack from the opposing pieces
and pawns, which facilitates Black's counter-
play.
5... dXc4
6QXc4 0-0
7 e4 Bg4
This system of development leads to lively
piece play. I played it particularly often in my
early years, and was not averse to trying out
again my own theoretical variation.
8 Be3 Nfd7
9 Qb3 Nb6
10 Rdl c6
This move restricts White's attacking
possibilities with d4-d5. The normal continuation
here is 10 ... Nc6 11 d5 Ne5 12 Be2 Nxf3 +
13 gxf3 Bh5, but in the present game I
wanted to give the struggle a more restrained
nature.
11 Be2 Na6
12 0-0 Qd6
13 a3
Depriving the black pieces of the use of b4.
Of course, the exchange on a6 does not appeal
232

125 Selected Games
to White, since he has to reckon with his
own pawns being doubled on the f-file, and
the weakening of his king's position.
13 ... Nc7
14 h3 Be6
15 Qc2 Rad8
The pressure on the pawn centre intensifies.
Black's plan includes playing ... Bc4,
vacating e6 for the possible use of his knight at c7.
16 Ng5!
By this energetic manoeuvre the English
grandmaster aims for the initiative on the
K-side.
16 ... Bc4
17 e5 Qd7
18Bg4
The logical continuation of White's plan.
In this way he provokes 18 ... e6, since
otherwise Black is left in a cramped position.
18 ... e6
19 Rfel Ncd5
The position has clarified. White is aiming
to play a knight to e4 and to obtain play on
the black squares, while Black has a central
strong-point at d5.
20Nge4 Nxe3
This bishop has to be exchanged, in order
to parry the threat of 21 Bg5. But now White
reinforces his central pawn formation.
21 fxe3 Qe7
22 b3 Bd5!
A difficult solution to a positional problem,
based on a concrete calculation of variations.
Of course, retreating the bishop to a6 would
have allowed White an undisputed advantage
after 23 Nc5. At d5 the bishop is more actively
placed, but it can easily get into danger in
view of a possible e3-e4.
If now 23 Nc5, then 23 ... Bxe5 24 Nxd5
(24 e4Bxd4 + 25Rxd4Qxc5)24 ... Rxd5
25 Bf3 Bg3 26 Bxd5 Bxel, with roughly
equal chances.
23 Nd6 can be met by 23 ... f5 24 Be2
(or 24 exf6 Bxf6 25 Nde4 e5) 24 ... Nc8
25 e4 fxe4 26 NcXe4 Nxd6 27 Nxd6 b5,
with a good game for Black.
23 Nf6+
White is attracted by the attack on the king.
If Black captures twice on f6, there follows
e3-e4, and the bishop is lost.
23 ... Bxf6
24exf6 Qxa3!
This is the point of Black's
counterattack ! Not fearing the mating threats, Black
attacks the opponent's Q-side. On 25 e4 there
follows 25 ... Bxb3 26 Qd2 Kh8 27 Qh6
Rg8, when the king is defended, whereas
White's position in the centre becomes
insecure.
25 Rbl e5
26dxe5 Rfe8
Black has successfully overcome his
defensive difficulties. His bishop is now out of
danger, and his play with the rooks on the
central files proves highly effective.
27 NXd5 NXd5
28Rbdl
Hoping by the pin on the d-file to hinder
the capture of the e5 pawn, but this proves to
be insufficient. A more complicated situation
results from 28 e4 Nc7 29 Redl h5 30 Bf3
233

Games 121 & 122
Rxdl+ 31 Rxdl Rxe5, with chances for
both sides.
28...
29 e4
RXe5
Qb4!
Much stronger than 29 ... Rde8 30 Bd7
NXf6 31 BXe8, when White is all right. But
after the move played, Black now threatens
30 ... Rde8 31 Bd7 RXe4.
30Qf2
Perhaps best, since 30 Qcl fails to 30 ...
Qb6+ 31 Khl NXf6, while after 30 Qd2
QXd2 31 Rxd2 Rde8 Black avoids all
difficulties, and remains with a material
advantage.
30... RXe4
31RXe4 QXe4
32 Qxa7 Re8
33Qxb7 NXf6
After the complications, the game has
simplified to Black's obvious advantage.
He has eliminated the dangerous pawn at f6,
and has retained a material advantage, plus
a dominating placement of his pieces.
34Bf3
35 Khl
36Bd5
37Qb8+
38Bf3
39Rfl
Qe3+
c5
Re7
Kg7
h5
If 39 b4, then 39 ... c4 40 b5 c3 41 Qc8
Nd7!, with the threat of ... Ne5.
39 ...
40Rdl
Qd3
Qc3
In this position the game was adjourned.
Analysis showed Black's winning chances to
be very real, although a struggle was still in
prospect after 41 Kh2 Rd7 42 Rxd7 Nxd7
43 Qb7 Ne5. However, after sealing
41Rd8
White resigned without resuming. There could
have followed 41 ... Rel+ 42 Kh2 Qcl 43
Rh8 Rhl+ 44 Kg3 h4+! 45 KXh4 (or 45
RXh4 Qel+) 45 ... g5+ 46 Kg3 Qel mate.
A difficult, tense struggle.
No. 122 Reti Opening
Smyslov-Larsen
Tifourg, 1979
lNf3
2g3
Nf6
b5
Despite the apparently eccentric nature of
this move, it is quite reasonable, combining
the idea of active play on the Q-side with
the flank development of the bishop at b7.
White carries out a similar plan in the
variation 1 Nf3 Nf6 2 g3 g6 3 b4.
3Bg2
40-0
5d3
Bb7
e6
<J5
234

125 Selected Games
If 5 ... c5, then 6 e4 d6 7 a4 b4 8 Nbd2 Be?
9 Nc4, and White has a promising position.
6c4!
An energetic manoeuvre, typical of White's
opening set-up. He aims to open up the centre,
so as to obtain scope for his pieces.
6 ... dxc4
Perhaps Black should have replied 6 ... a6,
since now the d-file is opened, and after the
forced exchange of queens an ending
favourable for White is reached.
7dxc4 QXdl
8R;<dl b4
Of course, 8 ... bXc4 is unfavourable
because of 9 Ne5, regaining the pawn.
9Bf4 c5
10 Ne5 BXg2
11 Kxg2 Be7
12Nd2 0-0
13 Nb3 Rc8
Black has a difficult defensive task in this
ending. His pawns at c5 and b4 are weakened
and they restrict the mobility of his own
bishop. On 13 ... a5 there could have
followed 14 a4 Rc8 15 Rd3 Ne8 16 Radl
f6 (or 16 ... Bf6 17 h4h6 18 h5) 17 Nd7
Nxd7 18 Rxd7, when the rook on the
seventh rank is very dangerous.
14N«5
The knight takes up a strong position,
preventing ... Nc6. If now 14 ... Bd8, then 15
Nb7 Be7 16 Nd6 Bxd6 17 Rxd6 Ne8 18
Rddl f6 19 Nd3 a5 (or 19 ... Na6 20 b3 and
then a2-a3) 20 Nxc5! RXc5 21 Rd8 Kf7
(or 21 ... e5 22 Be3) 22 BXb8 Rxc4 23
Radl, with the threat of 24 Rld7 + .
14 ... Ne8
15 a3!
White's initiative increases with inexorable
consistency. This undermining of the pawn
chain leads to the opening of the a-file, after
which his queen's rook becomes very active.
15 ... f6
16 Nd3 Kf7
17axb4 cxb4
18Ra4
The positional pressure on the weak M
pawn becomes appreciable. 18 ... Nc6 is
well met by 19 b3 Nd4 20 Kfl e5 21 Bd2.
18 ... Nd7
19 b3 g5
The alternative was 19 ... e5, with the
possible continuation 20 Bd2 Rab8 21 BXb4
Nb6 (or 21 ... e4 22 BXe7 eXd3 23 Bb4
Nb6 24 Raal dXe2 25 Rd4\, when 25 ...
Nxc4 fails to 26 NXc4 Rxb4 27 Ne5+
fXe5 28 RXb4) 22 Ra2 NXc4 23 NXc4
Bxb4 24 RXa7+, when White is a pawn
up with an active position:
a) 24 ... Be7 25 NdXe5+ fXe5 26 Rdd7.
b) 24 ... Kf8 25 NXb4 Rxb4 26 Rdd7
RXb3 27 Nd6 NXd6 28 RXd6Rb4 29h3
Rd4 30 Rb6, and the rook returns to the
seventh rank.
c) 24 ... Kg6 25 Ra6Kf726 NXMRxM
27 Rd7+ Kf8 28 Raa7 Rxb3 29 Nd6,
similar to the previous variation.
20Bd2 Rab8
21 Bxb4 Bxb4
<>«

Games 122 & 123
If 21 ... Nb6, then 22 Ra2 Nxc4 (or
22 ... Bxb4 23 Nxb4 Nxc4 24 Nac6)
23 BXe7 NXa5 24 RXa5 KXe7 25 Nc5!,
and Black cannot avoid loss of material.
22RXb4
23Ra4
Rb6
White's plan has proved successful. He is
not only a pawn up, but also has the better
position. However, the realization of his
advantage still requires accurate technique.
23 ...
24 b4
e5
e4
IHM
W&. '4M
25 c5!
The most exact continuation. Weaker is
25 Ncl Rd6 26 Rxd6 Nxd6 27 c5 Nb5,
when the knight at b5 occupies a good
blockading position.
25
Rb5
If 25 ... eXd3, then 26 cXb6 dxe227
RXd7+ Ke6 28 b7 Rb8 29 Nc6!> and
White wins.
26 Ncl
After 26 Nb2 White has to reckon with
26...NXc5.
26 ...
27 Na2!
28Nc3
29Rd5
Ne5
f5
Rbb8
White's attack develops unhindered. The
rook is very actively placed on the fifth rank,
increasing the pressure on Black's central
pawns.
29 ... Kf 6
30 Nb3 Nc7
31 Rd6+ RT7
32Nd4
Now Black's position on the K-side
collapses, and he surfers heavy loss of material.
32 ...
33 Nxf5
34KXf2
35Ne4
36NXg5+
37 e4
38RXa5
e3
eXf2
a6
Re8
Kg8
a5
RXb4
Or 38 ... Nc4 39 Rd7 NXa5 40 Nh6+,
and mate next move.
39Ra2
39 Ra7! was more energetic.
39...
40Nh6+
41 Ra7!
Rc4
Kg7
Here too this manoeuvre wins most quickly.
41 ...
42Efl
Rc2+
RXc5
Against side checks the white king hides
at h3, while on 42 ... Rf8+ there follows
43 Nf5+. If 42 ... Rc8, then 43 RXc7+
RXc7 44 Nf5+ Kf8 45 Rd8 mate.
43Ne6+
44Rye6
45Re7
RXe6
Nf7
tit.

125 Selected Games
Mo. 123 Catalan Opening
Smyslov-Marjanovic
lNf3
2g3
3d4
4Bg2
50-0
6b3
Bar, 1980
c5
Nc6
e6
d5
Nf6
I did not want to follow the well-studied
theoretical paths after 6 c4. The move played
promises White a sound positional game.
6 ...
7Bb2
8NM2
9dXc5
Be7
0-0
b6
A timely exchange, since 9 ... bXc5 can
be met by 10 c4, with the idea of giving
Black 'hanging' pawns in the centre after
HcXd5.
9 ...
10 c4
BXc5
Ba6
Black is aiming for active play. A quieter
game results from 10 ... Bb7.
11 cXd5
exd5
Black consistently strives for counter-play.
Sounder was 11... NXd5, with the possible
sequel 12 a3 Be7 13 Rcl Rc8 14 b4 Bf6 15
Bxf6 Qxf6 16 Qa4! Bb7 17 Ne4 Qe7 18
Rc2, with the initiative for White.
12 a3
This not only restricts Black's minor pieces,
but also prepares a Q-side offensive.
13 b4!
A calculation of the variations showed
that White had no reason to fear the coming
complications.
13...
14 BXf6
BXe2
Now 14 ... BXdl fails to 15 BXe7 BXf3
16 BXf8 BXg2 17 KXg2, when White
emerges the exchange ahead, so Black is
forced to compromise his pawn formation.
14...
15 Qa4!
16Qc2
17Bxfl
gXf6
b5
BXfl
BXf2+
On 17 ... Bd4 there would have followed
18 Rcl Rac8 19 BXb5 Ne5 20 QXc8, with
a material and a positional advantage.
18Kxf2
19Qf5
20BXb5
21 QXe6
Rac8
Ne5
Qe6
White prefers to go into a favourable
ending. After 21 Bd3 Ng4+ 22 Kgl Qb6+
23 Khl Nf2+ 24 Kg2 NXd3 25 QXd3 a5
he again has the advantage, but, with so
many open lines, the presence of the queens
would have led to more difficult problems.
12
Qe7
21 ...
22Nd4
23Be2
fXe6
Kf7

Games 123 & 124
* i
ft '«
p§ 'w.
tJLwS^, l£
From e2 the bishop controls g4, and clears
the way for the advance of the Q-side pawns.
23 ...
24Nb5
25Kel
26Kdl
Rc3
Rc2
Ra8
By this manoeuvre White's king drives the
enemy rook from its active position.
26
Rc6
Of course, not 26 ..
ing up' with the rook.
27Nb3
28Bxc4
29Na5
30Nc3
. Rb2 27 K
Nc4
dXc4
Rb6
h5!
In a difficult position Black resourcefully
tries to open lines for his rooks.
31Kc2
32NXc4
33Kb3
h4
Rc6
In the ending the king is an active piece,
and here it is interesting to follow its march
from f2 to b3. It is now very well placed, and
the time has come to advance the Q-side
pawns. 33 ... Rac8 is not dangerous, in
view of 34 Ne4 followed by Nc5.
33 ...
34hXg3
35Ne2
36Rdl
hXg
Rg8
e5
Ke6
37 b5
38 a4
39Na5
Rc5
Rg4
Re4
On 39 ... a6 there would have followed
40 Nb7 Rcc4 41 Rd6+ Ke7 42 RXa6 Rb4+
43 Ka3, when White's passed pawns decide
the game.
40Rd2
41 Kb4
42Rxd5
43Nc3+
44Nc6
45NXa7
46 b6
Re3+
Rd5
KXd5
Ke6
RXg3
f5
The advance of the white pawns is more
effective.
46 ...
47Kc5
Rg8
The sealed move. The game did not last
long on resumption.
If 49
47 ...
48 b7
49Ndl
f4
f3
Kd7
.. Rb8, then50Nc6!
50Nb5
51 a5
52NXf2
53Nd3
e4
f2
e3
Resign
No. 124 English Opening
Smyslov-Timman
Moscow,
ld4
2Nf3
3g3
4Bg2
1981
Nf6
g«
c5
cXd4
OIO

125 Selected Games
5NXd4
6c4
Bg7
The most logical continuation: White aims
to establish control over the centre.
6...
7Nc3
8QXd4
90-0
10Qd3
Nc6
NXd4
0-0
d6
Bf5
Black provokes e2-e4, avoiding the
complications of 10 ... Be6 11 Bxb7 Rb8 etc.
To be considered was 10 ... a6.
11 e4
12 b3
Be6
A useful move. Firstly, the important c4
pawn is defended, and secondly, the fian-
chetto of White's bishop is prepared at b2,
where it neutralizes the 'King's Indian'
bishop at g7.
12...
13Bb2
14Qd2
a6
Nd7
Since ... Nc5 is part of Black's plan,
the queen retreats in good time to a
comfortable position, and in passing prevents
14 ... Qa5, on which there follows 15 Radl
Rfc8 16 Nd5!, when 16 ... Qxd2 fails to
17 NXe7+ Kf8 18 BXg7+, winning a pawn.
14 ...
15 f4!
Nc5
The start of a direct attack on the king.
15 ... Rc8
Black underestimates the danger. He should
have prevented the further advance of the
f-pawn by 15 ... f5 16 exf5 Bxf5, with
a somewhat inferior but defensible position.
17f6!»
This pawn sacrifice smashes Black's
defences, and he now comes under a dangerous
attack. This tactical blow obviously came as
a surprise to Timman.
17
eXf6
If 17 ... Bxf6, then 18 Rxf6! exf6 19
Nd5, and Black's f6 is indefensible.
18Nd5
19eXf5
20BXg7
21 Qd4+
22 g4!
f5
Bxf5
Kxg7
f6
Be6
22 ... Ne6 fails to 23 Qdl, when the bishop
has no retreat.
23 Nxf6
24 g5
RXf6
White gains a material advantage which is
easily realized.
24 ...
25 Radl
26cxb5
27 gxf6+
28Qxf6+
29 Rxd6+
30Rb6
31Rel
Bf5
b5
axb5
QXf6
Kxf6
Ne6
Rc5
Resigns
16 f5!
Bd7
32 b4 is threatened, when further losses for
Black are inevitable.
239

Game 125
No. 125 Slav Defence
Portisch-Smyslov
Amsterdam,
lNf3
2d4
3c4
4Nc3
5a4
6e3
7BXc4
8 0-0
9Nh4
1981
d5
Nf6
c6
dXc4
Bf5
e6
Bb4
Nbd7
An interesting plan, the more common
alternative being 9 Qe2 Bg6. It is well known
that 9 Qb3 a5 10 Na2 Be7 is not dangerous
for Black, since on 11 Qxb7 there follows
11 ... Rb8 12 QXc6 Rc8, when the white
queen cannot escape from the pursuit.
9 ...
10 f3
11 e4
Bg4
Bh5
A sharp continuation, involving the
sacrifice of a pawn. After 11 ... Bxc3 (11 ...
Nxe41 fails to 12 NXe4 Qxh4 13 g4) 12
bxc3 Nxe4 13 Qel White gains a dangerous
attack.
The alternaiive is 11 g4 Nd5 12 Qel Be7
13 Ng2 Bg6, with a complicated game.
11 ...
12Be2
Nb6
12 Bb3 can be met by 12 ... Bxc3 13bXc3
NXe4 14 Qel NXc3!, with great
complications, for example :
a) 15 Nf5 0-0 16 NXg7 Qxd4+ 17 Khl
QXg7 18 Bb2 Nbd5 19 BXd5 cXd5 20
Bxc3 d4!, with a material advantage.
b) 15 g4 Qxd4+ 16 Be3 Qb4 17 Rcl
QXb3 18 RXc3 QXa4 19 gXh5 Nd5,
and Black has four pawns for the piece.
12 ...
13 g3
Nfd7
a5
An important advance, stabilizing the
position on the Q-side. As a result of the opening
Black has a comfortable game.
14 Be3 0-0
15 Ng2 f6
16W4 Bf7
17Nd3
A poor move, after which White gets into
difficulties. 17 Bf2 was preferable.
17 ... Nc4
18 Bel
18 Bf2 would have been met by 18 ...
NXb2 19 NXb2 BXc3.
18 ... e5
19dXe5
19 Nxb4 was unsatisfactory, in view of
19 ... axb4 20Na2Qb6.
19 ... NdXe5
20 Khl
20 ...
Nxd3
240

125 Selected Games
A clear, simple plan. By a series of
exchanges Black takes play into an ending
where the weakness of White's Q-side is a
source of further difficulties.
21 Bxd3
22Be2
23 NXdl
Ne5
QXdl
23 Rxdl would have been met by 23 ...
Bb3.
23 ... Rfd8
24Nf2 Bc4
Black consistently carries out his plan of
invading the white position with his rook.
25BXC4+
26 b3
27 BXd2
NXc4
Nd2
RXd2
Black's plan has proved successful, and his
positional advantage is now obvious. On 28
Radl there follows 28 ... Rad8 29 Kg2 Bc5!,
when White cannot free himself without
losing material.
28 e5
At the cost of a pawn White hopes to
obtain a good square for his knight in the
centre.
28 ... f Xe5
29 Ne4 Rd3
30 Rabl Rad8
31 Kg2 Re3
32 Rfdl Rd5!
An essential subtlety. After the immediate
32 ... Rxdl 33 Rxdl Rxb3 34 Rd7 b5
35 axb5 cXb5 36 Ng5 White has some
counter-chances.
33Kf2
34RXdl
35Rd7
RXdl
RXb3
If 35 Rd8+, then 35 ... KH 36 Rd7+
Kg6, and the b7 pawn is immune due to
... Bel + .
35
b6!
The game is essentially decided. Black's
extra pawns on the Q-side assure him of a win.
36Ke2
37aXb5
38 f4
39 gxf4
40 f5
41Ra7
b5
cXb5
eXf4
a4
a3
If 41 f6, then 41
42 fXg7al=Q) 42.
the a-pawn queens.
41 ...
White resigns.
.. a2 42 RXg7+ (or
Kf8 43 Ra7 Ra3, and
Rb3
241

Tournament and Match Results
Year
1938
1939
1940
1941
1942
1943
1944
1945
1946
1947
1948
1949
1950
1951
1952
Event
USSR Schoolboys' Championship
USSR 1st Category Tournament, Gorky
Moscow Championship
International Training Tournament,
Moscow/Leningrad
Moscow Championship
12th USSR Championship, Moscow
Match-Tournament for the Title of
Absolute USSR Champion
Kuibishev
Moscow Championship
Sverdlovsk
Moscow Championship
13th USSR Championship, Moscow
14th USSR Championship, Moscow
Moscow Championship
Groningen
15th USSR Championship, Leningrad
Warsaw
Training Tournament, Parnu
Chigorin Memorial Tournament, Moscow
Match-Tournament for the World Championship,
The Hague/Moscow
USSR Team Championship, Leningrad
17th USSR Championship, Moscow
Candidates' Tournament, Budapest
Venice
18th USSR Championship, Moscow
Semi-Final 19th USSR Championship
19th USSR Championship, Moscow
Chigorin Memorial Tournament, Leningrad
Maroczy Memorial Tournament, Budapest
20th USSR Championship, Moscow
Helsinki Olympiad (board 2)
+
7
8
10
4
7
8
4
7
10
5
7
8
6
7
7
7
4
4
6
6
2
9
5
9
6
9
9
7
8
6
8
—
1
1
2
5
2
1
4
2
1
3
-
3
6
5
1
2
1
1
1
4
-
2
3
-
3
-
4
-
3
4
-
=
2
4
5
8
4
10
12
2
4
6
9
5
5
3
11
10
4
8
8
10
-
8
10
6
8
9
4
6
6
9
5
Place
1
1-3
1-2
12-13
2-3
3
3
2
1
3^
2
2
10-11
3-6
3
3-4
2-5
4-6
3^
2
1-2
3
2
5-6
1
4
1
3-5
7-9
243

Tournament and Match Results
Year
1953
1954
1955
1956
1957
1958
1959
1960
1961
1962
1963
Event
Bucharest
Candidates' Tournament, Zurich
Match for the World Championship with
M. Botvinnik, Moscow
Amsterdam Olympiad (board 2)
Hastings
Zagreb
22nd USSR Championship, Moscow
USSR Championship Play-off Match with
E. Geller, Moscow
Candidates' Tournament, Amsterdam
Moscow Olympiad (board 2)
Alekhine Memorial Tournament, Moscow
Match for the World Championship with
M. Botvinnik, Moscow
European Team Championship, Vienna (board 1)
Return Match for the World Championship
with M. Botvinnik, Moscow
Munich Olympiad (board 2)
Candidates' Tournament, Bled/Zagreb/Belgrade
USSR Spartakiad (board 2)
1st USSR Central Chess Club International
Tournament
Leipzig Olympiad (1st reserve)
27th USSR Championship, Leningrad
2nd USSR Central Chess Club International
Tournament
European Team Championship, Oberhauscn
(board 5)
3rd USSR Central Chess Club International
Tournament
Dortmund
28th USSR Championship, Moscow
29th USSR Championship, Baku
Mar del Plata
Havana
Hastings
USSR Central Chess Club International
Tournament
Chigorin Memorial Tournament, Sochi
+
7
9
7
6
5
10
7
-
6
5
7
6
2
5
7
9
5
3
10
3
6
7
4
4
5
6
5
10
3
8
4
-
1
1
7
-
-
-
2
1
1
1
-
3
1
7
-
7
-
-
-
1
-
-
-
1
2
4
1
-
-
-
1
=
11
18
10
6
4
9
10
6
11
7
8
13
3
11
5
12
2
8
3
15
5
2
7
6
12
10
9
11
6
7
6
Place
3
1
1-2
1
1-2
1
1-2
4
1-3
7-8
1-2
1-2
2-3
5-6
8-11
2-3
4-5
3
1
2
244

Tournament and Match Results
Year
Event
+ -
= Place
USSR Spartakiad, Moscow
1964 Stockholm
Amsterdam Interzonal
Capablanca Memorial Tournament, Havana
Tel Aviv Olympiad (board 3)
1965 European Team Championship, Hamburg (board 4)
Candidates' Va-Final Match with
E. Geller, Moscow
Capablanca Memorial Tournament, Havana
Santiago
1966 Mar del Plata
Polanica Zdroj
34th USSR Championship, Tbilisi
1967 USSR Spartakiad, Moscow (board 3)
Monte Carlo
Moscow
Capablanca Memorial Tournament, Havana
Moscow
Palma de Mallorca
1968 Monte Carlo
Lugano Olympiad (2nd reserve)
Rubinstein Memorial Tournament,
Polanica Zdroj
1969 Hastings
Monte Carlo
Skopje
37th USSR Championship, Moscow
1970 Hastings
'Match of the Century', Belgrade
v. S. Reshevsky
v. F. Olafsson
Rovinj/Zagreb
European Team Championship, Kapfenberg
(board 5)
Buenos Aires
Siegen Olympiad (1st reserve)
Palma de Mallorca
1971 Play-ofif Match for Reserve Place in Candidates
Matches with L. Portisch, Portoroz
Amsterdam
39th USSR Championship, Leningrad
4
7
11
11
10
3
_
13
9
7
9
4
2
3
4
8
5
9
4
10
9
7
5
5
6
3
1
1
6
5
1
5
7
1
5
6
-
-
-
-
1
-
3
3
-
-
-
4
1
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
3
1
-
-
5
1
12
10
2
6
5
5
4
8
6
12
7
7
12
10
6
7
9
2
5
3
6
10
15
5
1
10
—
16
6
13
4
10
15
1
\-A
1-2
1
1
1
1
10-12
2
2-5
3
1-2
2-3
3-4
1
1
1-2
3-5
3-5
4
2-5
7
7
1
2-3
245

Tournament and Match Results
Year
1972
1973
1974
1975
1976
1977
1978
1979
1980
Event
Alekhine Memorial Tournament, Moscow
Wijk aan Zee
USSR Olympiad, Moscow (board 2)
LasPalmas
Skopje Olympiad (board 3)
Hastings
Cienfuegos
41st USSR Championship, Moscow
Petropolis Interzonal
European Team Championship, Bath (board 6)
Reykjavik
USSR Team Cup (board 1)
Chigorin Memorial Tournament, Sochi
42nd USSR Championship (1st League), Odessa
Venice
USSR Spartakiad, Riga (board 2)
Teesside
Szolnok
USSR Team Cup (board 1)
Lone Pine
44th USSR Championship (Premier League), Moscow
Biel Interzonal
Hastings
Leningrad
Tilburg
45th USSR Championship (Premier League),
Leningrad
USSR Zonal Tournament, Lvov
Sao Paulo
Buenos Aires
USSR Spartakiad, Moscow (board 2)
Berlin
Tilburg
European Club Cup Final (board 1)
Buenos Aires
Linz
Copenhagen
Baguio City
Bar
+
4
3
4
8
8
3
12
1
7
3
10
4
4
6
5
1
4
5
3
4
5
3
4
2
4
6
4
2
6
1
4
6
-
2
1
3
4
2
2
2
3
2
1
3
1
1
2
4
4
1
7
2
=
13
10
4
6
6
9
9
12
8
2
4
3
9
8
8
4
9
9
7
4
10
13
10
13
9
9
6
7
9
6
9
3
7V./9
7/9
7V/10
7
1 6
Place
3
5-6
2-3
9
1
15-16
5
1
4-6
5-6
2
2
1
2-9
6-7
5-7
4-5
3
10
12-14
7-10
1
2-4
1-2
12
1-4
3-6
1-2
2
2
246

Tournament and Match Results
Year
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
Event
Four Teams Match-Toumament, Moscow (board 1)
Moscow
Amsterdam
London
European Team Champion Cup XA -Final (board 1)
Hastings
Las Palmas Interzonal
Tilburg
Candidates' /4-Final Match with R. Hubner, Velden
Candidates' '/4-Final Match with Z. Ribli, London
Candidates' Final Match with G. Kasparov, Vilnius
Bugojno
USSR v. Rest of the World, London (board 4)
v. L. Ljubojevic
Tilburg
Graz
Copenhagen
Vidmar Memorial Tournament, Portoroz/Ljubljana
Candidates' Tournament, Montpellier
World Team Championship, Lucerne (board 6)
Dortmund
Copenhagen
Sochi
Reggio Emilia
New York Open
Subotica Interzonal
USSR v. Spain, Seville (board 4) v. M. Illescas
Rome
55th USSR Championship, Moscow
Lloyds Bank Masters, London
Hastings
New York Open
Haninge
Lloyds Bank Masters, London
Palma de Mallorca
Groningen
Rome
Beer-Sheva
Buenos Aires
Manila Interzonal
Barcelona
+
1
3
2
3
-
3
6
2
1
3
0
1
0
2
6
3
0
2
2
2
1
1
3
3
0
3
3
6
1
4
1
3
2
0
5
3
1
-
2
1
-
-
-
-
2
1
1
1
4
2
1
4
6
2
2
2
3
3
7/9
2
0
1
3
0
0
4
1
1
1
2
7^/10
1
1
6^/9
0
0
5
1
=
3
9
9
6
2
10
5
8
12
7
9
10
1
5
0
6
9
11
0
6
11
10
7
9
1
6
10
3
11
4
8
5
6
9
8
5
7
Place
2-4
4-6
8-21
2-3
2
5-6
10-11
10
1
5
10
8-9
9
1^
9-11
2-5
15-28
8-9
1-3
9-13
3-6
3-5
6-15
8-9
3-9
27^9
3-6
2-7
2-3
1-2
48-53
5-6

Tournament and Match Results
Year
Event
= Place
1991 Gelsenkirchen
Veterans' Tournament, Moscow
Veterans' Tournament, Bad Wonshoften
1992 Veterans v. Women, Aruba
Knock-out Tournament, Tilburg
Round 1 v. Grooten
'/32-Final v. Gulko
'/i6-Final v. Serper
'/s-Final v. Sveshnikov
Moscow Open
1993 San Martin
Rostov-on-Don
Veterans v. Women, Vienna
Biel Interzonal
Knock-out Tournament, Tilburg
Round 1 v. Shabalov
Miinster
3
2
1
1
3
2
1
1
1
sv2/u
1
0
0
0
2
1
6^/11
4
2
2
2
5V2/U
7
6
10
1
3
3
3
7
6
7
9
1
3
3-5
1-2
25-37
2-4
10
35-+1
4-6
248

Adorjan 98
Antoshin 70
Aronin 20
Index of Opponents
(Numbers refer to games, except where indicated)
Larsen 122
Liberzon 83, 89
Lilienthal 2
Ljubojevic 106
Lombardy 114
Bielicki (p. 16)
Bilek 69, 84
Bisguier 41, 42
Bolbochan 75
Boleslavsky 5,15
Bondarevsky 10
Botvinnik (p.14), 6, 36, 37, 39, 49, 50; 51,53,54, 74
Bronstein 22,48
Castro 115
Donner (p. 16)
Duckstein 40
Euwe 13,18
Evans 24,120
Makogonov 11
Marjanovic 123
Matanovic 116
Mestel 104
Milev 29
Olafsson 62, 111
Padevsky 82
Panno 47
Panov 8
Petrosian 19, 61, 68, 77
Polugayevsky 64, 67,94
Pomar 103
Portisch 81, 99, 125
Pytlakowski 26
Filip 52
Fischer 57
Forintos 76
FuUer 86
Furman 101
Ragozin 16
Reshevsky 12, 17, 34,92
Romanishin 117
Rudnev (p. 8)
Geller 32,35,46
Gerasimov 1
Oheorghiu 108
Gligoric 56,60,72,96
Golombek 43
Grigorian 118
Hort 107
HObner 95
Schmid 25,90
Schweber 65
Sigurjonsson 110
Simagin 78
Spassky 55,63
Stahlberg 30,71
Stein 88
Stoltz 28
Sutttes 112
Szabo 38,44,93
Ivkov 9
Kamishov 9
Karpov 102
Keene 121
Keres 31,33,59,109
Konstantinopolsky 3
Korchnoi 66,89,113
Kotov 7
Kottnauer 14
Krogius 79
Kuzminikh 21
Taimanov 85
Tal 58, 87, 119
Timman 97, 124
Tolush 23,27
Uhlmann 91,100, 105
Veresov 4
Wade 73
94Q

Opening Index
(Numbers refer to games, except where indicated)
Alekhine's Defence 63
Benoni Defence 25, 69,116
Bogoljubov Defence 79
Caro-Kann Defence 11, 54,106
Catalan Opening 43, 77,123
Chigorin Defence 96
Dutch Defence 99
English Opening 20,27, 34,48,62, 68, 71, 74, 83, 84,
87,92,93,101,104,110,115,124
French Defence (p. 8), 2, 5, 30, 36, 51,105
Grttnfeld Defence 18, 38, 41, 49, 53, 56, 64, 80, 88,
103,113,121
King's Indian Attack 39
King's Indian Defence 32, 37, 85, 86, 89, 91,94,111
Latvian Gambit 9
Modern Benoni 23, 52
Nimzo-Indian Defence 28, 35, 42, 44, 46, 60, 76, 81
Old Indian Defence 8
Advantage of the exchange 46, 48, 72, 93, 95, 120
Bishop against knight (p.14), 13, 74, 87
Double rook endings 3
Double rook endings with minor pieces 18, 38, 41,
48, 49, 50, 60, 74, 87, 90, 101, 115, 120, 122, 125
Like-coloured bishops (p.16)
Minor piece endings 13, 38
Minor piece for two pawns 106
Opposite-coloured bishops 88
Pirc Defence 21,73,97
Queen Pawn Opening 1
Queen's Gambit 16, 33, 102
Queen's Gambit Accepted 24, 26, 31, 61
Queen's Indian Defence 100
Ragozin Defence 70
Reti Opening 120, 122
Ruy Lopez 3,6,12,13,15,17,29,40,45,90,95,108,
109, 119
Scotch Game 10
Sicilian Defence 4,7,14,19,22,47,50,55,57,58,59,
65,66,72,82,107,117,118
Slav Defence 75,125
Ujtelky Defence 78
Vienna Game 67, 112, 114
Zukertort Opening 98
Opposite-coloured bishops with rooks 19,20,45,48,
88
Pawn endings (p. 16)
Queen against rook and minor piece 73
Rook endings 2, 3, 17, 50, 60, 68
Rook endings with minor pieces (p.9), 17, 35,51, 76,
87, 88, 94, 108, 112, 115, 120,125
Two minor pieces against a rook 75.123
Endgame Index
(Numbers refer to games, except where indicated)
250

SMYSLOVS
125 Selected Games
VASILY SMYSLOV
In this collection of his best games, translated
by Ken Neat, former world champion Vasily
Smyslov demonstrates the style and
technique that took him to the title.
• Written by one of the most naturally gifted
players of the post-war era
• Contains 125 fully annotated games from
Smyslov's career
• Includes victories over Fischer, Tal,
Spassky, Botvinnik and many other
world-class players
Vasily Smyslov is one of the outstanding
players of the post-war era. In a game
increasingly dominated by younger players,
his achievements - world champion in 1957,
candidates finalist at the age of 61, and
more than 25 first prizes in international
tournaments around the world - are a
reflection of his consistency at the highest
levels.
ISBN 1-85744-028-5