White: Kholmov, R.

Riga simul
Black: Tal, M.
1949
Result: 0-1

8
0Z0ZkZ0s
7
obZ0ZpZ0
6
0ZpZpZ0o
5
ZpZ0l0Z0
4
PZpZ0Z0Z
3
Z0OrZBZ0
2
0ZQZ0OPO
1
S0Z0ZRJ0
a b c d e f g h

18 aXb5 RXf3 19 RXa7 QXb5 20 gXf3

8
0Z0ZkZ0s
7
SbZ0ZpZ0
6
0ZpZpZ0o
5
ZqZ0Z0Z0
4
0ZpZ0Z0Z
3
Z0O0ZPZ0
2
0ZQZ0O0O
1
Z0Z0ZRJ0
a b c d e f g h

20 Rb1 RXc3!
20. . . Qg5+ 21 Kh1 Rg8
0-1

2
 White: Tal, M. Riga Junior Ch Semi-final
Black: Leonov, A.
1949
Result: 1-0

21. . . Be8 22 Nf6+! NXf6 23 eXf6 Rc7 24

fXg7 KXg7 25 Qe5+
8
rZbZqZkZ 1-0
7
ZpZ0spon
6
pZ0ZpZ0o
5
Z0ZpO0ZQ
4
0Z0O0Z0Z
3
Z0OBM0ZP
2
PO0Z0ZPZ
1
S0Z0ZRJ0
a b c d e f g h

19 Rf6! (A blockading sacrifice, by which

White prevents 19...f5, while threatening 20
Rxh6.)
19. . . Qf8

8
rZbZ0lkZ
7
ZpZ0spon
6
pZ0ZpS0o
5
Z0ZpO0ZQ
4
0Z0O0Z0Z
3
Z0OBM0ZP
2
PO0Z0ZPZ
1
S0Z0Z0J0
a b c d e f g h

19. . . gXf6 20 Ng4

19. . . NXf6 20 eXf6 Rd7 21 Ng4
20 Rf4 Bd7 21 Ng4 (The pressure mounts.)

3
 White: Saigin, V. Match for the title of Soviet Master (10)
Black: Tal, M.
1954
Result: 1/2-1/2

8
0ZbZrZkZ
7
Z0Z0Zpap
6
0m0o0mpZ
5
Z0lPZ0Z0
4
0spZPZ0Z
3
ZpM0Z0AP
2
0O0MBOPZ
1
L0Z0SRJ0
a b c d e f g h

26 Bf4 Nfd7 27 Be3 Qc7 28 Qa5 BXc3

29 bXc3 Ra4 30 Qb5 Re7 31 Ra1 Ba6 32
Qc6 QXc6 33 dXc6 Nc5 34 RXa4 NbXa4 35
BXc4 BXc4 36 NXc4 NXc3 37 Ra1 N5a4 38
Bd4 Ne2+ 39 Kf1 NXd4 40 RXa4 NXc6 41
Ra6 Rc7 42 NXd6 b2 43 Rb6 Nb4 44 RXb4
Rc1+ 45 Ke2 b1Q 46 RXb1 RXb1 47 Nc4
1/2-1/2

4
 White: Tal, M. USSR Youth Team Ch, Leningrad
Black: Visotskis, J.
1954
Result: 1-0

8
rZnZbZkZ 8
QZnZ0ZkZ
7
o0l0Z0ap 7
o0l0Znap
6
0Zpm0s0Z 6
0ZbZ0s0Z
5
Z0A0o0o0 5
Z0A0o0o0
4
0Z0ZPo0Z 4
0Z0ZPo0Z
3
ZNMQZPZ0 3
ZNZ0ZPZ0
2
PO0ZBZPO 2
PO0ZBZPO
1
ZKZRZ0ZR 1
ZKZRZ0ZR
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

21 Nd5 (This looks like an oversight.) 23. . . Rf5

24 Bb6!! aXb6 25 Rc1 BXa8

8
rZnZbZkZ
8
bZnZ0ZkZ
7
o0l0Z0ap
7
Z0l0Znap
6
0Zpm0s0Z
6
0o0Z0s0Z
5
Z0ANo0o0
5
Z0Z0o0o0
4
0Z0ZPo0Z
4
0Z0ZPo0Z
3
ZNZQZPZ0
3
ZNZ0ZPZ0
2
PO0ZBZPO
2
PO0ZBZPO
1
ZKZRZ0ZR
1
ZKS0Z0ZR
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

21 g3 25. . . Bf8
21. . . cXd5 22 QXd5+ Nf7 23 QXa8 Bc6 26 RXc7 Rc6 27 Rc1 RXc7 28 RXc7 (Black
cannot complain about the material sit-
uation, but now all his pieces are badly
placed.)
28. . . Ncd6 29 Nd2 Bf8 30 Bc4 b5 31 Be6

5
Kg7 32 a4 Kf6 33 BXf7 NXf7 34 aXb5 Bb4
35 Nc4 g4 36 Ra7 gXf3 37 gXf3 BXe4+ 38
fXe4 Ng5 39 b6 Bc5 40 Ra6 Ne6 41 b7
1-0

6
 White: Tal, M. 1: Riga
Black: Zilber, I.
Opening ECO: C07 1949
Result: 1-0

1 e4 e6 2 d4 d5 3 Nd2 c5 4 eXd5 Up to this

point the game has developed in similar
fashion to many of the Karpov-Korchnoi
8
rZbZkZ0s
encounters in 1974. However, I don’t wish 7
opZ0mpop
to claim ... 6
0ZnZpZ0Z
4. . . QXd5 5 Ngf3 Nc6 6 Bc4 Qh5 Modern
theory takes a sceptical view of this ma-
5
Z0a0Z0A0
noeuvre. However, in the present case I
4
0ZBZNZqZ
don’t consider that any detailed analysis of
the opening system is necessary.
3
Z0Z0ZNZ0
7 dXc5! This continuation is possibly the
2
POPZ0OPO
strongest rejoinder. If we use the ’retro-
1
S0ZQJ0ZR
a b c d e f g h
spective method’, it can be supposed that
the white player (who at that time already
had a reputation as a tactician) simply did 9. . . b6 10 NXc5 bXc5 11 Qd6
not care for the prospect of the queens 10 Qd3 b6
being exchanged at some stage (after the
capture on d4).
7. . . BXc5 8 Ne4 Nge7 Because of the
unpleasant threat of the knight’s intrusion
8
rZbZkZ0s
on d6, Black cannot keep his bishop. 7
o0Z0mpop
9 Bg5! I like this move even now; it empha- 6
0onZpZ0Z
sises the bad position of the black queen,
while keeping the bishop under attack.
5
Z0a0Z0A0
9. . . Qg4
4
0ZBZNZqZ
3
Z0ZQZNZ0
2
POPZ0OPO
1
S0Z0J0ZR
a b c d e f g h

10. . . Nb4 11 Qe2

11 O-O-O?? 11 h3 Qf5 12 g4 Qg6 13 Nh4
Ne5 14 Bb5+
11. . . O-O 11. . . h6
11. . . Qf4+

7
12 Bf6 Instead of capturing the queen (the
variation given in the previous note still
works), White gives away a piece. No doubt
8
rZbZ0skZ
the idea of placing the bishop en prise ap-
peared so tempting that other possibilities
7
o0Z0mpZp
did not occur to me (unfortunately, this
6
0onZpo0Z
disease from my youth sometimes recurs
5
Z0a0Z0Z0
even now). On the other hand, if this is the
case, then the question arises as to why did
4
0ZBZNlPZ
White not play Bf6 a move earlier, when at
3
Z0ZQZNZ0
any rate it was less risky. I am absolutely 2
POPZ0O0O
sure that my opponent’s reply came as a
surprise to me, and so, much as I would like
1
ZKZRZ0ZR
a b c d e f g h
to, I cannot place this game in the category
of ’intuitive’ or ’Tal’ sacrifices.
15. . . Kh8 16 h4
16 g5 fXg5 It was hardly good to open the
g-file for White.

8
rZbZ0skZ
7
o0Z0mpop
6
0onZpA0Z
8
rZbZ0skZ
5
Z0a0Z0Z0
7
o0Z0mpZp
4
0ZBZNZqZ
6
0onZpZ0Z
3
Z0ZQZNZ0
5
Z0a0Z0o0
2
POPZ0OPO
4
0ZBZNl0Z
1
Z0JRZ0ZR
3
Z0ZQZNZ0
a b c d e f g h 2
POPZ0O0O
12 h3
1
ZKZRZ0ZR
a b c d e f g h
12. . . Qf4+ 13 Kb1 gXf6 The situation has
changed ’somewhat’. Black has an extra 16. . . f5 17 Nf6+ Kh8 18 Nh5 Qc7 19 Qc3+
bishop, for which I now do not see any e5
compensation at all. On the other hand, 17 NfXg5 With the concrete threat of 18
it was not difficult to detect that the black Nf6+.
king’s pawn cover had been weakened.
White continues as if nothing has hap- 17. . . Ng6 18 h4 Now the threats to the
pened. black king have to be taken seriously.

14 g3 Qh6 15 g4 Qf4 The most logical. On 18. . . Nb4 Black’s striving for active play
this square the queen is excellently placed. is understandable, but this merely helps
White to transfer his queen to a more
dangerous position.

8
 8
rZbZ0skZ 8
rZ0Z0skZ
7
o0Z0ZpZp 7
o0Z0ZpZp
6
0o0ZpZnZ 6
0o0Z0ZnZ
5
Z0a0Z0M0 5
Z0a0obM0
4
0mBZNl0O 4
0mBZNl0O
3
Z0ZQZ0Z0 3
Z0Z0Z0Z0
2
POPZ0O0Z 2
POPZ0OQZ
1
ZKZRZ0ZR 1
ZKZRZ0ZR
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

18. . . Nce5 19 Qc3 f6! 20 ZZ– 20. . . Kh8 21 NXf7+ RXf7 22 BXf7 Bb7 23
19 Qh3 e5 After this move Black’s king is BXg6 hXg6 24 Rhe1
really in danger. In the first place, the diag- 21 h5 Kg7
onal is opened for White’s bishop, and in
addition the black pieces are denied the use
of the important e5-square. The fact that
Black’s light-squared bishop is activated, is, rZ0Z0s0Z
8
in the given case, a less significant factor.
o0Z0Zpjp
7
6
0o0Z0ZnZ
5
Z0a0obMP
8
rZbZ0skZ
4
0mBZNl0Z
7
o0Z0ZpZp
3
Z0Z0Z0Z0
6
0o0Z0ZnZ
2
POPZ0OQZ
5
Z0a0o0M0
1
ZKZRZ0ZR
a b c d e f g h
4
0mBZNl0O
3
Z0Z0Z0ZQ 21. . . Nh4 22 RXh4 QXh4 23 Nf3+
2
POPZ0O0Z 21. . . BXe4 22 NXe4 Kg7 23 hXg6 hXg6 24
1
ZKZRZ0ZR Rd7 Qf5 25 BXf7!
a b c d e f g h 21. . . BXe4 22 NXe4 Kg7 23 hXg6 hXg6 24
c3 Nc6 25 Bd5 Rac8 26 NXc5
19. . . Ne5 22 hXg6 h6 23 BXf7! I was no doubt very
20 Qg2 Bf5 With his last few moves Black pleased with myself at this moment. Clearly
has significantly complicated his task. both knights are immune. The main threat
Underestimating the enemy’s threats was a is 24 Rxh6.
sin of Zilber’s even in youth. 23. . . RXf7

9
 8
rZ0Z0Z0Z
7
o0Z0Zrj0
6
0o0Z0ZPo
5
Z0a0obM0
4
0m0ZNl0Z
3
Z0Z0Z0Z0
2
POPZ0OQZ
1
ZKZRZ0ZR
a b c d e f g h

23. . . Qg4 24 Qh2

23. . . NXc2 24 RXh6 Na3+! 25 bXa3 BXe4+
26 NXe4 QXh6 27 Rh1
24 gXf7 hXg5 25 NXg5 QXf2

8
rZ0Z0Z0Z
7
o0Z0ZPj0
6
0o0Z0Z0Z
5
Z0a0obM0
4
0m0Z0Z0Z
3
Z0Z0Z0Z0
2
POPZ0lQZ
1
ZKZRZ0ZR
a b c d e f g h

25. . . QXf2 26 QXa8?? QXc2+ 27 Ka1

Qb1+! 28 RXb1 Nc2#
26 Ne6+ By the age of twelve I had mas-
tered the technique of the forced-line mate
to a sufficient degree. No further commen-
tary is required.
26. . . KXf7 27 Qg7+ KXe6 28 Rh6+ Bg6 29
QXg6+ Ke7 30 Rh7+ Kf8 31 Qg7+ Ke8 32
Qd7+ Kf8 33 Rh8#
1-0

10
 White: Tal, M. 2: Riga Championship
Black: Klasup, K.
Opening ECO: A82 1952
Result: 1-0

1 d4 f5 2 e4 fXe4 3 Nc3 Nf6 4 f3 My

opponent was very fond of accepting pawn
sacrifices. Thus he regularly chose the Mc-
8
rZ0lka0s
Cutcheon Variation of the French Defence. 7
opo0Z0op
He would capture the pawn on c3 and be
prepared to defend for a long time for the
6
0ZnZpm0Z
sake of it. In view of this, White’s choice of
5
ZBZ0ZbZ0
opening seems to me to be unfortunate,
especially since, as is shown by the further
4
0Z0OpZ0Z
course of the game, he has no feel for this
3
Z0M0Z0Z0
variation. 2
POPZNZPO
4. . . d5 A characteristic analogy. At roughly 1
S0AQZRJ0
this time V. Korchnoi was not infrequently a b c d e f g h
trying to vindicate this idea.
5 fXe4 dXe4 6 Bc4 9 Bg5
9. . . a6 10 Ba4 Qd7 Defending his bishop in
view of the possibility of d5, and preparing
to castle long.
8
rmblka0s 11 Bg5 After a noticeable delay.
7
opo0o0op 11. . . O-O-O 12 Kh1 Be7
6
0Z0Z0m0Z
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0
4
0ZBOpZ0Z 8
0Zks0Z0s
3
Z0M0Z0Z0 7
Zpoqa0op
2
POPZ0ZPO 6
pZnZpm0Z
1
S0AQJ0MR 5
Z0Z0ZbA0
a b c d e f g h
4
BZ0OpZ0Z
6 Bg5
3
Z0M0Z0Z0
6. . . Bf5 7 Nge2 Nc6 8 O-O e6 9 Bb5?
2
POPZNZPO
Rather inconsistent. 1
S0ZQZRZK
a b c d e f g h

12. . . Be7 13 Qd2 b5

13 BXf6? BXf6 14 d5 This mistake is a

11
logical consequence of the previous ones.
14. . . eXd5 15 BXc6 bXc6 It becomes clear
that White has only strengthened the en-
8
0Z0s0Z0s
emy position. Behind such a pawn army
7
ZQokZ0o0
the king feels completely safe. In addition, 6
pZ0Z0a0Z
the black bishops are active, in contrast to
the unwieldy white knights.
5
Z0o0Z0Zp
16 Nd4 Bg4 17 Qd2 Qd6
4
0ZNl0ZbZ
3
Z0o0Z0ZP
2
POPZ0ZPZ
8
0Zks0Z0s
1
S0Z0ZRZK
a b c d e f g h
7
Z0o0Z0op
6
pZpl0a0Z 24. . . Qe6
5
Z0ZpZ0Z0 25 Nb6+ Ke8 26 bXc3
4
0Z0MpZbZ
3
Z0M0Z0Z0
2
POPL0ZPO 8
0Z0skZ0s
1
S0Z0ZRZK 7
ZQo0Z0o0
a b c d e f g h 6
pM0Z0a0Z
17. . . c5
5
Z0o0Z0Zp
18 Nb3 With the slight hope of effecting
4
0Z0l0ZbZ
a blockade on c5 after 19 Na4. Naturally,
3
Z0O0Z0ZP
Black does not allow this. 2
PZPZ0ZPZ
18. . . c5 19 h3 h5 Black does not wish to give
his opponent even a shade of counterplay.
1
S0Z0ZRZK
a b c d e f g h
This keeps control of d1, since the capture
of the bishop leads to mate in a few moves.
26 QXc7 cXb2
20 Na5 e3 Prior to this move Black’s posi-
26 bXc3 QXc3 27 Nd5
tion was more than won. Now it becomes
simply won. White has to give up a piece, 26. . . Qd6 27 Nc4 Qg3
but on the other hand gains the opportu-
nity to disturb the hostile king. I suspect
that practically any other move would have
been stronger.
21 QXe3 d4 22 Qe4 dXc3 23 Qb7+ Kd7 24
Nc4 Qd4

12
 8
0Z0skZ0s 8
0ZbZ0Z0s
7
ZQo0Z0o0 7
Z0L0Z0ok
6
pZ0Z0a0Z 6
pZ0Z0a0Z
5
Z0o0Z0Zp 5
Z0o0Z0lp
4
0ZNZ0ZbZ 4
0ZNZ0S0O
3
Z0O0Z0lP 3
Z0O0ZRZ0
2
PZPZ0ZPZ 2
PZPZ0ZPZ
1
S0Z0ZRZK 1
Z0ZrZ0J0
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

27. . . Qd5 28 Rae1+! Kf7 29 QXd5+ RXd5 34. . . Qd5 35 Rd3 Qe6 36 Re3 Qd7 37
30 hXg4! QXc5
28 Rae1+ Kf8 29 Re3 Qh4 30 QXc7 Black’s 35 Kh2 Qd5 36 Rg3
position is still won, but now White has the
initiative (even if only temporarily) in a tac-
tical situation. In addition, my opponent
was in his usual serious time-trouble. 8
0ZbZ0Z0s
30. . . Kg8 31 Kg1 Bc8 Otherwise White 7
Z0L0Z0ok
may decide to capture the bishop. 6
pZ0Z0a0Z
32 Rf4 Qg5 33 Ref3 ’Mosquito biting’
tactics in action 34 Rxf6 is threatened.
5
Z0oqZ0Zp
33. . . Kh7!
4
0ZNZ0S0O
3
Z0O0Z0S0
2
PZPZ0ZPJ
8
0Zbs0Z0s
1
Z0ZrZ0Z0
a b c d e f g h
7
Z0L0Z0ok
6
pZ0Z0a0Z 36 Ne3 Qd6
5
Z0o0Z0lp 36. . . Bg4 37 RXf6 QXc4 38 Rf5! An
4
0ZNZ0S0Z unpleasant move to have to meet in time-
trouble.
3
Z0O0ZRZP
2
PZPZ0ZPZ
1
Z0Z0Z0J0
a b c d e f g h

33. . . Kh7 34 RXf6? Rd7

34 h4 Rd1+

13
 8
0Z0Z0Z0s 8
0Z0Z0Z0s
7
Z0L0Z0ok 7
Z0Z0Z0L0
6
pZ0Z0Z0Z 6
pZ0Z0Z0Z
5
Z0o0ZRZp 5
Z0o0Z0Zk
4
0ZqZ0ZbO 4
0Z0Z0lbO
3
Z0O0Z0S0 3
Z0O0Z0S0
2
PZPZ0ZPJ 2
PZPZ0ZPJ
1
Z0ZrZ0Z0 1
Z0ZrZ0Z0
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

38 Rf5 Rd5 39 Qf7!! Rhd8 40 RXh5+! 40. . . KXh4!? 41 QXh8+? Kg5 42 Qg7+
38 Rf5 Rg8 Kf5

38. . . Kh6 39 RXh5+! At last White suc- 40. . . KXh4 41 Re3!! ZZ–
ceeds in carrying out one of his threats. 40. . . Qg8!! 41 Qe5+ KXh4 42 Re3 Bf3!
Now Black is lost. 40. . . Qg8 41 Qe5+ KXh4 42 Qf6+ Kh5
41 QXh8+ Kg6 42 Qg8+ Kf5 43 Qc8+
Ke5 44 QXg4 QXg4 45 RXg4 The game
concluded as follows:
8
0Z0Z0Z0s 45. . . Rd2 46 Rg5+ Kf4 47 RXc5 RXc2 48
7
Z0L0Z0o0 Rc6 Kg4 49 Rc4+ Kh5 50 a4 Rd2 51 Kh3
Rd3+ 52 g3 Rd6 53 a5 Rd5 54 g4+ Kg6 55
6
pZ0Z0Z0j Rc6+ Kf7 56 RXa6 Rd3+ 57 Kg2 RXc3 58
5
Z0o0Z0ZR h5 Kg7 59 Rb6 Ra3 60 a6 Kf7 61 Kh2 Kg7
62 g5 Ra5 63 Rb7+ Kg8 64 a7
4
0ZqZ0ZbO 1-0
3
Z0O0Z0S0
2
PZPZ0ZPJ
1
Z0ZrZ0Z0
a b c d e f g h

39 Qe7
39. . . KXh5 40 QXg7 Qf4 After this move
further commentary is unnecessary White
forces a rook ending with three extra pawns.

14
 White: Saigin, V. 6: Riga
Black: Tal, M.
Opening ECO: E01 1954
Result: 0-1

1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 c5 3 Nf3 e6 4 g3 This slow 6 Bg2 e5 7 Nf3 d4! Now Black’s central
plan of development does not cause Black pawns hinder the freedom of movement of
any particular difficulties. the white pieces.
8 O-O Nc6 9 e3 Fearing the possibility
of a subsequent ...e4, White decides to
undermine the black centre.
8
rmblka0s 9. . . Be7 10 eXd4 eXd4 11 Nbd2 Threaten-
ing 12 Nb3.
7
opZpZpop 11. . . Be6 12 Re1
6
0Z0Zpm0Z
5
Z0o0Z0Z0
4
0ZPO0Z0Z 8
rZ0lkZ0s
3
Z0Z0ZNO0 7
opZ0apop
2
PO0ZPO0O 6
0ZnZbm0Z
1
SNAQJBZR 5
Z0Z0Z0Z0
a b c d e f g h
4
0ZPo0Z0Z
4 d5
3
Z0Z0ZNO0
4. . . cXd4 5 NXd4 d5
2
PO0M0OBO
1
S0AQS0J0
a b c d e f g h

8
rmblka0s 12 Ng5 Bf5
7
opZ0Zpop 12. . . O-O 13 b3
6
0Z0Zpm0Z
5
Z0ZpZ0Z0
4
0ZPM0Z0Z
3
Z0Z0Z0O0
2
PO0ZPO0O
1
SNAQJBZR
a b c d e f g h

5. . . Nc6 6 Bg2 Qb6 7 Nc2!

15
 8
rZ0l0skZ 8
0Z0s0skZ
7
opZ0apop 7
Z0ZqZpop
6
0ZnZbm0Z 6
0o0Zbm0Z
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0 5
o0a0S0Z0
4
0ZPo0Z0Z 4
0ZPo0Z0Z
3
ZPZ0ZNO0 3
OPZ0ZNO0
2
PZ0M0OBO 2
0A0L0OBO
1
S0AQS0J0 1
S0Z0Z0J0
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

13 Nb3 d3 19 b4 aXb4 20 aXb4 Bd6! 21 ZZ–

13. . . Qd7 14 Bb2 Rad8 Black has com- 19 Qd3 Ng4 20 Ree1 Bf5
pleted his development, and plans to 19. . . Ng4 20 Ree1 d3 21 Rf1
start active play in the centre and on the
kingside. Therefore White must create
counterplay on the queenside as soon as
possible. 8
0Z0s0skZ
15 a3 a5 16 Ne5 NXe5 17 RXe5 b6 18 Nf3?
A mistake. White hopes to eliminate the
7
Z0ZqZpop
black d-pawn, but in this he is unsuccessful.
6
0o0ZbZ0Z
5
o0a0Z0Z0
4
0ZPZ0ZnZ
3
OPZpZNO0
8
0Z0s0skZ 2
0A0L0OBO
7
Z0Zqapop 1
S0Z0ZRJ0
6
0o0Zbm0Z a b c d e f g h

5
o0Z0S0Z0 21 Ne5
4
0ZPo0Z0Z 21. . . Qd6!
3
OPZ0ZNO0
2
0A0Z0OBO
1
S0ZQZ0J0
a b c d e f g h

18 Qf3
18. . . Bc5 19 Qd2

16
 8
0Z0s0skZ 8
0Z0s0skZ
7
Z0Z0Zpop 7
Z0Z0Z0op
6
0o0lbZ0Z 6
0o0lbo0Z
5
o0a0Z0Z0 5
o0a0Z0Z0
4
0ZPZ0ZnZ 4
0ZPZ0ZnZ
3
OPZpZNO0 3
OPLpZNO0
2
0A0L0OBO 2
0A0Z0OBO
1
S0Z0ZRJ0 1
Z0ZRZRJ0
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

21. . . Qd6 22 h3 NXf2 23 RXf2 QXg3 23 Ng5 NXf2! 24 RXf2 BXf2+ 25 KXf2
22 Qc3 fXg5+
23. . . Rfe8 24 Rd2

8
0Z0s0skZ
7
Z0Z0Zpop
8
0Z0srZkZ
6
0o0lbZ0Z
7
Z0Z0Z0op
5
o0a0Z0Z0
6
0o0lbo0Z
4
0ZPZ0ZnZ
5
o0a0Z0Z0
3
OPLpZNO0
4
0ZPZ0ZnZ
2
0A0Z0OBO
3
OPLpZNO0
1
S0Z0ZRJ0
2
0A0S0OBO
a b c d e f g h 1
Z0Z0ZRJ0
a b c d e f g h

22 Ng5 Bf5 23 Ne4 BXe4 24 BXe4 Rfe8 25

Qg5 Bd4 24 Ng5 NXf2 25 RXf2 BXf2+ 26 KXf2
Qc5+
22. . . f6 23 Rad1
24. . . Bf5 25 Ng5 White seeks salvation in
complications. 25...Re2 was threatened.

17
 8
0Z0srZkZ 8
0Z0s0ZkZ
7
Z0Z0Z0op 7
Z0Z0Z0op
6
0o0l0o0Z 6
0o0l0o0Z
5
o0a0ZbM0 5
o0Z0ZbM0
4
0ZPZ0ZnZ 4
0ZPZ0Z0Z
3
OPLpZ0O0 3
OPLpZ0O0
2
0A0S0OBO 2
0A0ZrZBO
1
Z0Z0ZRJ0 1
Z0Z0ZRZK
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

25 Nh4 Be4 29 Bd5+ QXd5+

25. . . Ne3! 26 fXe3 29. . . RXg2

8
0Z0srZkZ 8
0Z0s0ZkZ
7
Z0Z0Z0op 7
Z0Z0Z0op
6
0o0l0o0Z 6
0o0l0o0Z
5
o0a0ZbM0 5
o0Z0ZbM0
4
0ZPZ0Z0Z 4
0ZPZ0Z0Z
3
OPLpO0O0 3
OPLpZ0O0
2
0A0S0ZBO 2
0A0Z0ZrO
1
Z0Z0ZRJ0 1
Z0Z0ZRZK
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

26 Re1 NXg2 27 RXe8+ RXe8 28 KXg2 29. . . RXg2 30 KXg2 d2 31 Rd1 Bg4 32 Nf3
Qc6+ 29 f3 Re1 Qd3!
26 ZZ– NXg2 27 KXg2 Qc6+
26. . . BXe3+ 27 Kh1 BXd2 28 QXd2 Re2 0-1
29 Qc3

18
 White: Tal Portoroz
Black: Panno
Opening ECO: C92 1958
Result: 1-0

1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 a6 4 Ba4 Nf6 5

O-O Be7 6 Re1 b5 7 Bb3 d6 8 c3 O-O 9 h3
Nd7 10 d4 Nb6 11 Be3 eXd4 12 cXd4 Na5
8
rZbl0skZ
13 Bc2 c5 14 e5?! Tal is playing the opening 7
Z0Z0apop
in his usual very sharp style. 6
pm0Z0Z0Z
5
mpo0o0Z0
4
0Z0O0Z0Z
8
rZbl0skZ
3
Z0Z0ANZP
7
Z0Z0apop
2
POBZ0OPZ
6
pm0o0Z0Z
1
SNZQS0J0
a b c d e f g h
5
mpo0O0Z0
4
0Z0O0Z0Z 14. . . Nac4 15 eXd6 QXd6 16 Qd3 Qg6 17
3
Z0Z0ANZP dXc5 NXe3 18 QXe3 QXc2 19 QXe7 Nd5
20 Qe5 QXc5 21 Nc3
2
POBZ0OPZ 15 NXe5 Nbc4
1
SNZQS0J0
a b c d e f g h

14 Nc3 Nac4 15 Bc1 cXd4 16 NXd4 Bf6 17

8
rZbl0skZ
a4 bXa4 18 BXa4 Qc7 19 b3 Ne5 20 Bb2
Bb7 21 Rc1 Qb8 22 Nf5 Rd8 23 Ba3
7
Z0Z0apop
6
pZ0Z0Z0Z
14. . . dXe5 5
mpo0M0Z0
4
0ZnO0Z0Z
3
Z0Z0A0ZP
2
POBZ0OPZ
1
SNZQS0J0
a b c d e f g h

15. . . Bf6 16 Nc3 Nbc4 17 NXc4 NXc4 18

dXc5
16 Qd3

19
 8
rZbl0skZ 8
rZbl0skZ
7
Z0Z0apop 7
Z0Z0a0op
6
pZ0Z0Z0Z 6
pZ0Z0Z0Z
5
mpo0M0Z0 5
mpo0MpZ0
4
0ZnO0Z0Z 4
0ZnO0Z0Z
3
Z0ZQA0ZP 3
ZBZQA0ZP
2
POBZ0OPZ 2
PO0Z0OPZ
1
SNZ0S0J0 1
SNZ0S0J0
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

16 Qh5 f5 17 NXc4 NXc4 18 Qf3 cXd4 19 17 Bf4!? ZZ–

BXd4 QXd4 20 QXa8 Bh4 21 Qf3 QXb2 17. . . f4 Black plays the opening very
22 Nd2! QXc2 23 Qd5+ Kh8 24 Qf7! sharply.
BXf2+ 25 Kh2! Bc5 26 Re8 Bd6+! 27 Kh1
Be6! 28 RXf8+ BXf8 29 QXf8+ Bg8 30
NXc4 bXc4 31 Rf1 QXa2 32 RXf5 a5
16. . . f5
8
rZbl0skZ
7
Z0Z0a0op
8
rZbl0skZ 6
pZ0Z0Z0Z
7
Z0Z0a0op 5
mpo0M0Z0
6
pZ0Z0Z0Z 4
0ZnO0o0Z
5
mpo0MpZ0 3
ZBZQA0ZP
4
0ZnO0Z0Z 2
PO0Z0OPZ
3
Z0ZQA0ZP 1
SNZ0S0J0
2
POBZ0OPZ a b c d e f g h

1
SNZ0S0J0 17. . . Be6 18 dXc5 NXb3 19 QXb3 Rc8 20
a b c d e f g h
NXc4 BXc4 21 Qc3
16. . . g6!? 17 Bh6 NXe5! 18 RXe5 Nc6 19 17. . . Bf6 18 NXc4 NXb3! 19 QXb3 Be6 20
BXf8 BXf8 20 Re1 NXd4 dXc5 BXc4 21 Qc2
17 Bb3 18 Bd2 NXb3 The bishop must be elimi-
nated.

20
 8
rZbl0skZ 8
rZbl0skZ
7
Z0Z0a0op 7
Z0Z0a0op
6
pZ0Z0Z0Z 6
pZNZ0Z0Z
5
Zpo0M0Z0 5
Zpo0Z0Z0
4
0ZnO0o0Z 4
0ZnO0o0Z
3
ZnZQZ0ZP 3
Z0ZQZ0ZP
2
PO0A0OPZ 2
PO0A0OPZ
1
SNZ0S0J0 1
mNZ0S0J0
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

18. . . Bf5?! 19 BXa5 QXa5 20 Qc3 QXc3 19. . . Qb6 20 NXe7+

21 NXc3 cXd4 22 NXc4 bXc4 23 BXc4+ 20 NXd8 Bf5 Panno accepts the challenge.
Kh8 24 RXe7 dXc3 25 bXc3
19 Nc6!? Truly amazing! Tal ’wins’ the
queen for troops similar to the old red
Russian Army!
8
rZ0M0skZ
7
Z0Z0a0op
6
pZ0Z0Z0Z
8
rZbl0skZ 5
Zpo0ZbZ0
7
Z0Z0a0op 4
0ZnO0o0Z
6
pZNZ0Z0Z 3
Z0ZQZ0ZP
5
Zpo0Z0Z0 2
PO0A0OPZ
4
0ZnO0o0Z 1
mNZ0S0J0
3
ZnZQZ0ZP a b c d e f g h
2
PO0A0OPZ 20. . . BXd8 21 b3 NXd2 22 NXd2 Bf5 23
1
SNZ0S0J0 Ne4 cXd4! 24 RXa1 Bb6
a b c d e f g h
21 Qf3 RaXd8 22 RXe7 BXb1 23 BXf4
RXd4
19 QXb3 Bf6 20 Na3! BXe5 21 RXe5 Be6
22 RXe6 NXd2 23 Qd3 QXd4 24 QXd4
cXd4 25 Rd1 b4 26 RXd2 bXa3 27 RXd4
aXb2 28 Rb4 Rab8 29 Reb6
19. . . NXa1

21
 8
0Z0Z0skZ 8
0Z0Z0skZ
7
Z0Z0S0op 7
Z0Z0Sbop
6
pZ0Z0Z0Z 6
pZ0ZQZ0Z
5
Zpo0Z0Z0 5
Zpo0Z0Z0
4
0Zns0A0Z 4
0Zns0A0Z
3
Z0Z0ZQZP 3
Z0Z0Z0ZP
2
PO0Z0OPZ 2
PO0Z0OPZ
1
mbZ0Z0J0 1
m0Z0Z0J0
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

23. . . cXd4?! 24 b3 Bg6 25 bXc4 d3 26 Qg3 25. . . Kh8?! 26 Be5 NXe5 27 QXe5 Rg8 28
d2 27 BXd2 RXd2 28 Qc3 Rd1+ 29 Kh2 QXc5 Nc2 29 Qa7 Rd1+ 30 Kh2 Re1 31
Bf7 30 c5 RXe1 NXe1 32 QXa6 b4 33 a4 bXa3 34 bXa3
24 Qg4 Nd3 35 f3
26 Qf5 Nc2

8
0Z0Z0skZ
7
Z0Z0S0op
8
0Z0Z0skZ
6
pZ0Z0Z0Z
7
Z0Z0Sbop
5
Zpo0Z0Z0
6
pZ0Z0Z0Z
4
0Zns0AQZ
5
Zpo0ZQZ0
3
Z0Z0Z0ZP
4
0Zns0A0Z
2
PO0Z0OPZ
3
Z0Z0Z0ZP
1
mbZ0Z0J0
2
POnZ0OPZ
a b c d e f g h
1
Z0Z0Z0J0
a b c d e f g h

24 Qg3 Bg6 25 Be5 NXe5 26 QXe5 Bf7

27 QXc5 Rd1+ 28 Kh2 BXa2 29 RXg7+! 26. . . Bg6? 27 RXg7+! KXg7 28 Bh6+
KXg7 30 Qg5+ KXh6 29 QXf8+ Kg5 30 QXc5+
24. . . Bg6 25 Qe6+ Bf7! The right choice. 26. . . Rd5!? 27 Qg4 h5 28 Qg3 Rd1+ 29
Kh2 Nd2 30 Qg5 Nf1+ 31 Kg1 h4 32
QXh4 Ne3+ 33 Kh2 Nd5
27 b3 Bg6

22
 8
0Z0Z0skZ 8
0Z0Z0L0Z
7
Z0Z0S0op 7
Z0Z0Z0Zp
6
pZ0Z0ZbZ 6
pZ0Z0Z0Z
5
Zpo0ZQZ0 5
Z0o0Z0Z0
4
0Zns0A0Z 4
0ZpsbZkO
3
ZPZ0Z0ZP 3
Z0Z0Z0O0
2
PZnZ0OPZ 2
PZnZ0O0Z
1
Z0Z0Z0J0 1
Z0Z0Z0J0
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

27. . . Rd1+!? 28 Kh2 Nd2 29 BXd2 RXd2 33. . . Kg6 34 f3 Bd3 35 h5+ KXh5 36 Qf6
30 QXc5 Nd4 31 Qc3 Rd1 Ne3! 37 g4+? NXg4 38 fXg4+ RXg4+ 39
28 RXg7+! KXg7 29 Bh6+ KXh6 30 QXf8+ Kf2 Rg6
Kg5 31 bXc4 bXc4 32 g3 Be4 33 h4+ 34 Kh2 Bf5

8
0Z0Z0L0Z 8
0Z0Z0L0Z
7
Z0Z0Z0Zp 7
Z0Z0Z0Zp
6
pZ0Z0Z0Z 6
pZ0Z0Z0Z
5
Z0o0Z0j0 5
Z0o0ZbZ0
4
0ZpsbZ0O 4
0Zps0ZkO
3
Z0Z0Z0O0 3
Z0Z0Z0O0
2
PZnZ0O0Z 2
PZnZ0O0J
1
Z0Z0Z0J0 1
Z0Z0Z0Z0
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

33 f4+ Kg6 34 g4 h6 35 Qe7 Ne3! 36 Qe6+ 34. . . Bd5? 35 f3+ BXf3 36 Qc8+ Kh5 37
Kg7 37 f5 Nd5 38 Qg6+ Kf8 39 QXh6+ Qf5+ Kh6 38 Qg5#
Kf7 40 Qg6+ Ke7 41 Qe6+ Kf8 42 QXa6 35 Qf6
c3
33. . . Kg4

23
 8
0Z0Z0Z0Z 8
0Z0Z0Z0Z
7
Z0Z0Z0Zp 7
Z0Z0Z0Z0
6
pZ0Z0L0Z 6
pZ0Z0Z0o
5
Z0o0ZbZ0 5
Z0o0LbZ0
4
0Zps0ZkO 4
0ZpZrZkO
3
Z0Z0Z0O0 3
Z0Z0Z0O0
2
PZnZ0O0J 2
PZnZ0O0J
1
Z0Z0Z0Z0 1
Z0Z0Z0Z0
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

35 QXc5?! Rd2! 36 QXc4+ Nd4 37 Kg1 36. . . Bd3 37 Qf6 Bf5 38 f3+ KXf3 39
Be6 38 QXa6 BXa2 QXf5+ Ke3 40 Qe6+!
35. . . h6 36 Qe5 37 Qg7+ Kf3 38 Qc3+ Ne3

8
0Z0Z0Z0Z 8
0Z0Z0Z0Z
7
Z0Z0Z0Z0 7
Z0Z0Z0Z0
6
pZ0Z0Z0o 6
pZ0Z0Z0o
5
Z0o0LbZ0 5
Z0o0ZbZ0
4
0Zps0ZkO 4
0ZpZrZ0O
3
Z0Z0Z0O0 3
Z0L0mkO0
2
PZnZ0O0J 2
PZ0Z0O0J
1
Z0Z0Z0Z0 1
Z0Z0Z0Z0
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

36 QXh6 Kf3 37 Qf6 Ne3! 38 fXe3 Rd2+ 38. . . KXf2 39 QXc2+ Kf3
36. . . Re4 39 Kg1 Bg4 40 fXe3 h5!

24
 8
0Z0Z0Z0Z 8
0Z0Z0Z0Z
7
Z0Z0Z0Z0 7
Z0Z0Z0Z0
6
pZ0Z0Z0Z 6
QZ0Z0Z0Z
5
Z0o0Z0Zp 5
Z0o0Z0Zp
4
0ZpZrZbO 4
0Z0j0ZbO
3
Z0L0OkO0 3
Z0Z0s0O0
2
PZ0Z0Z0Z 2
PZ0Z0Z0Z
1
Z0Z0Z0J0 1
Z0Z0Z0J0
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

40. . . KXg3? 41 Qe1+ Kh3 42 Kf2! KXh4 45. . . RXg3+ 46 Kf2 Rf3+! 47 Kg2 Kd4 48
43 Qh1+ Qd6+ Kc4 49 a4 Kb4 50 Qa6 Rb3! 51 a5
40. . . RXe3? 41 Qf6+ Ke2 42 Qf1+! Kd2 43 c4 52 Qb6+ Ka4 53 Qa7 c3 54 a6 Bf3+! 55
Qf4! Kf2! Ka3 56 Qc5+ Kb2 57 Qd4 Ka2

41 Qe1 RXe3?! 46 Qd6+ Kc4 47 a4 Re1+ 48 Kf2 Re2+ 49

Kf1 Ra2 50 Qa6+ Kd4 51 a5 c4 52 Qb6+
Kd5 53 a6 Ra1+ 54 Kf2 c3 55 a7 c2 56
Qb3+ Kd6 57 Qd3+
8
0Z0Z0Z0Z 1-0
7
Z0Z0Z0Z0
6
pZ0Z0Z0Z
5
Z0o0Z0Zp
4
0ZpZ0ZbO
3
Z0Z0skO0
2
PZ0Z0Z0Z
1
Z0Z0L0J0
a b c d e f g h

41. . . Re6! 42 e4 c3 43 QXc3+ KXe4 44

QXc5 Kd3
42 Qf1+ Ke4 43 QXc4+ Kf3 44 Qf1+ Ke4
45 QXa6 Kd4? After being under pressure
for a long time it is no wonder that Panno is
not able to maintain the equilibrium.

25
 White: Tal World Ch’ship (Game 1), Moscow
Black: Botvinnik
Opening ECO: C18 1960
Result: 1-0

1 e4 e6 2 d4 d5 3 Nc3 Bb4 4 e5 c5 5 a3 13. . . Ba4?! 14 Nf4 QXc3 15 Ra2 Kf7 16

BXc3+ 6 bXc3 Qc7 7 Qg4 f5 8 Qg3 Ne7 9 Bd3
QXg7 Rg8 10 QXh7 cXd4 11 Kd1 Bd7 12 13. . . dXc3!? 14 Nf4 Kf7 15 Bd3 QXe5! 16
Qh5+ Ng6 g4 Nc6 17 gXf5 eXf5 18 Rb1 b6 19 Rb5 Ne7
20 Re1 Rh8! 21 Qg5 Rag8 22 NXg6 NXg6
23 RXe5 NXe5 24 Qf4 Rg1+ 25 Ke2 Re8
26 Be3 NXd3 27 Qc7 Re7 28 RXd5 Be6 29
8
rm0ZkZrZ QXc3 Nc1+ 30 BXc1 BXd5+
7
oplbZ0Z0 14 cXd3 Ba4+
6
0Z0ZpZnZ
5
Z0ZpOpZQ
4
0Z0o0Z0Z 8
rm0ZkZrZ
3
O0O0Z0Z0 7
opl0Z0Z0
2
0ZPZ0OPO 6
0Z0ZpZnZ
1
S0AKZBMR 5
Z0ZpOpZQ
bZ0Z0Z0Z
a b c d e f g h 4

12. . . Kd8 13 Nf3 QXc3 14 Ra2 Nbc6 15

3
O0OPZ0Z0
Rb2 Kc7 16 Rb5!
2
0Z0ZNOPO
13 Ne2 d3?!
1
S0AKZBZR
a b c d e f g h

14. . . Nc6 15 d4 Na5 16 Rb1

8
rm0ZkZrZ
15 Ke1 QXe5
7
oplbZ0Z0
6
0Z0ZpZnZ
5
Z0ZpOpZQ
4
0Z0Z0Z0Z
3
O0OpZ0Z0
2
0ZPZNOPO
1
S0AKZBZR
a b c d e f g h

26
 8
rm0ZkZrZ 8
rZ0ZkZrZ
7
opZ0Z0Z0 7
opl0Z0Z0
6
0Z0ZpZnZ 6
0ZnZpZnZ
5
Z0ZplpZQ 5
Z0ZpZpAQ
4
bZ0Z0Z0Z 4
bZ0O0Z0Z
3
O0OPZ0Z0 3
O0O0Z0Z0
2
0Z0ZNOPO 2
0Z0ZNOPO
1
S0A0JBZR 1
S0Z0JBZR
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

15. . . Nc6 16 f4 O-O-O 17 Bd2 17. . . Qh8 18 Nf4

16 Bg5! Nc6 18 h4! The rook is developed along the third
rank.
18. . . e5 19 Rh3 Qf7
8
rZ0ZkZrZ
7
opZ0Z0Z0
6
0ZnZpZnZ
8
rZ0ZkZrZ
5
Z0ZplpAQ
7
opZ0ZqZ0
4
bZ0Z0Z0Z
6
0ZnZ0ZnZ
3
O0OPZ0Z0
5
Z0ZpopAQ
2
0Z0ZNOPO
4
bZ0O0Z0O
1
S0Z0JBZR
3
O0O0Z0ZR
a b c d e f g h
2
0Z0ZNOPZ
1
S0Z0JBZ0
16. . . f4? 17 d4 Qf5 18 NXf4 a b c d e f g h

17 d4 Qc7
19. . . f4? 20 Bf6!
20 dXe5 NcXe5 The pressure is very un-
comfortable for Black.

27
 8
rZ0ZkZrZ 8
rZ0Z0ZrZ
7
opZ0ZqZ0 7
o0ZkZqZ0
6
0Z0Z0ZnZ 6
0o0Z0ZnZ
5
Z0ZpmpAQ 5
Z0ZpmpAQ
4
bZ0Z0Z0O 4
bZ0Z0Z0O
3
O0O0Z0ZR 3
O0O0S0Z0
2
0Z0ZNOPZ 2
0Z0ZNOPZ
1
S0Z0JBZ0 1
ZRZ0JBZ0
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

20. . . Rh8? 21 e6! QXe6 22 Re3 RXh5 23 22. . . Bc6 23 Nd4 f4 24 RXe5! NXe5 25
RXe6+ Kf7 24 RXg6! QXf7+ NXf7 26 BXf4 Rae8+ 27 Kd2
21 Re3 Kd7 Black has no choice but to run. 23 Nf4 Rae8

8
0Z0ZrZrZ
8
rZ0Z0ZrZ 7
o0ZkZqZ0
7
opZkZqZ0 6
0o0Z0ZnZ
6
0Z0Z0ZnZ 5
Z0ZpmpAQ
5
Z0ZpmpAQ 4
bZ0Z0M0O
4
bZ0Z0Z0O 3
O0O0S0Z0
3
O0O0S0Z0 2
0Z0Z0OPZ
2
0Z0ZNOPZ 1
ZRZ0JBZ0
1
S0Z0JBZ0 a b c d e f g h

a b c d e f g h
23. . . Rh8 24 NXg6! NXg6 25 Qe2 RXh4 26
21. . . Rh8? 22 RXe5+ Kd7 23 Re7+! QXe7 Qa6!
24 QXg6 24 Rb4! Gaining a tempo.
22 Rb1 b6?! This leaves the bishop hang- 24. . . Bc6 25 Qd1! NXf4 26 RXf4 Ng6 27
ing, allowing White to gain tempi later on. Rd4 RXe3+ 28 fXe3 Kc7 29 c4! dXc4

28
 8
0Z0Z0ZrZ
7
o0j0ZqZ0
6
0obZ0ZnZ
5
Z0Z0ZpA0
4
0ZpS0Z0O
3
O0Z0O0Z0
2
0Z0Z0ZPZ
1
Z0ZQJBZ0
a b c d e f g h

29. . . Ne7 30 cXd5 BXd5 31 BXe7 QXe7 32

RXd5 QXe3+ 33 Qe2
30 BXc4 Qg7 31 BXg8 QXg8 32 h5 . Black
had had enough.

1-0

29
 White: Tal Lvov
Black: Flesch
Opening ECO: B17 1981
Result: 1-0

1 e4 c6 2 d4 d5 3 Nc3 dXe4 4 NXe4 Nd7 5

Nf3 Ngf6 6 Ng3
8
rZbl0skZ
7
opZnZpop
8
rZblka0s
6
0Z0Zpm0Z
7
opZnopop
5
Z0Z0Z0A0
6
0ZpZ0m0Z
4
0Z0O0Z0Z
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0
3
Z0ZBZ0M0
4
0Z0O0Z0Z
2
PO0Z0OPO
3
Z0Z0ZNM0
1
S0ZQZRJ0
a b c d e f g h
2
POPZ0OPO
1
S0AQJBZR 12 Bf4 Nb6 13 Rc1 Nbd5 14 Be5 Bd7 15
a b c d e f g h Nh5 NXh5 16 QXh5 g6 17 Qh6 f6 18 Bd6
Rf7 19 Rfe1
6 Bd3 NXe4 7 BXe4 Nf6 8 Bd3 Bg4 9 c3 12. . . h6
6. . . e6 7 Bd3 c5 8 c3 cXd4 9 NXd4 Bc5
10 O-O BXd4 11 cXd4 O-O 12 Bg5 This
variation gives White a good chance to
develop an initiative. Black is organised
8
rZbl0skZ
in a way that makes it impossible to put 7
opZnZpo0
pressure on d4 and therefore White has
time to place his pieces as he desires.
6
0Z0Zpm0o
5
Z0Z0Z0A0
4
0Z0O0Z0Z
3
Z0ZBZ0M0
2
PO0Z0OPO
1
S0ZQZRJ0
a b c d e f g h

12. . . Qa5!? 13 h4?! h6 14 Bf4 b6 15 Re1

Bb7
13 Bf4 Nb6 14 Bc2

30
 8
rZbl0skZ 8
rZbZ0skZ
7
opZ0Zpo0 7
opZ0Zpo0
6
0m0Zpm0o 6
0l0Zpm0o
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0 5
Z0ZnA0Z0
4
0Z0O0A0Z 4
0Z0O0Z0Z
3
Z0Z0Z0M0 3
Z0ZQZ0M0
2
POBZ0OPO 2
POBZ0OPO
1
S0ZQZRJ0 1
S0Z0ZRJ0
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

14 Qd2 Nfd5 15 BXh6 gXh6 16 QXh6 f5 17 16 Bb3!? Bd7 17 Nh5 NXh5 18 QXh5 f6 19
Qg6+ Kh8 18 Qh6+ Bg3 QXd4 20 Rad1
14. . . Nbd5 16. . . Nb4

8
rZbl0skZ 8
rZbZ0skZ
7
opZ0Zpo0 7
opZ0Zpo0
6
0Z0Zpm0o 6
0l0Zpm0o
5
Z0ZnZ0Z0 5
Z0Z0A0Z0
4
0Z0O0A0Z 4
0m0O0Z0Z
3
Z0Z0Z0M0 3
Z0ZQZ0M0
2
POBZ0OPO 2
POBZ0OPO
1
S0ZQZRJ0 1
S0Z0ZRJ0
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

14. . . Bd7 15 Qd3 Rc8 16 Ne4 Nbd5 17 16. . . Bd7 17 BXf6 NXf6 18 Nh5! Rfd8 19
Be5 NXf6+ gXf6 20 Qh7+ Kf8 21 d5!
15 Be5 Qb6 16 Qd3 17 Qd2!

31
 8
rZbZ0skZ 8
rZbZ0skZ
7
opZ0Zpo0 7
opZ0Zpo0
6
0l0Zpm0o 6
0l0ZpA0o
5
Z0Z0A0Z0 5
Z0Z0Z0Z0
4
0m0O0Z0Z 4
0Z0O0Z0Z
3
Z0Z0Z0M0 3
Z0Z0Z0M0
2
POBL0OPO 2
POnL0OPO
1
S0Z0ZRJ0 1
S0Z0ZRJ0
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

17 Qf3? NXc2 18 BXf6 e5! 19 Be7 NXa1 20 18 QXc2 Nd5 19 Ne4 Rd8 20 Rfd1 Bd7
BXf8 KXf8 18. . . NXa1
17. . . NXc2

8
rZbZ0skZ
8
rZbZ0skZ 7
opZ0Zpo0
7
opZ0Zpo0 6
0l0ZpA0o
6
0l0Zpm0o 5
Z0Z0Z0Z0
5
Z0Z0A0Z0 4
0Z0O0Z0Z
4
0Z0O0Z0Z 3
Z0Z0Z0M0
3
Z0Z0Z0M0 2
PO0L0OPO
2
POnL0OPO 1
m0Z0ZRJ0
1
S0Z0ZRJ0 a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h

18. . . gXf6? 19 QXh6

17. . . Ng4!? 18 BXg7?! KXg7 19 Nh5+ Kg8 19 Nh5! White is targeting g7 with all his
20 h3 NXc2 21 QXc2 e5 22 Qc5 eXd4 23 ammunition.
QXb6 aXb6 24 hXg4 Rd8
19. . . e5!
18 BXf6!

32
 8
rZbZ0skZ 8
rZbZ0skZ
7
opZ0Zpo0 7
opZ0ZpZ0
6
0l0Z0A0o 6
0l0ZPA0o
5
Z0Z0o0ZN 5
Z0Z0Z0oN
4
0Z0O0Z0Z 4
0Z0Z0Z0Z
3
Z0Z0Z0Z0 3
Z0Z0Z0Z0
2
PO0L0OPO 2
PO0L0OPO
1
m0Z0ZRJ0 1
m0Z0ZRJ0
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

19. . . Qb5? 20 NXg7 Kh7 21 RXa1 Kg6 22
Qf4 QXb2 23 Qg3+ KXf6 24 Nh5+ Ke7 25
Qc7+ Bd7 26 Qc5+ Kd8 27 QXf8+ Kc7 28
Qc5+
20 dXe5 g5!
21 RXa1 Bg4! 22 Ng3 Rfd8! 23 BXd8 RXd8
24 Qc3 Rc8
21 Be7 Bf5! 22 Nf6+ Kg7 23 BXf8+ RXf8
24 RXa1 Rd8 25 Qc3 Rd3 26 Qc2 Qa5
21. . . QXe6 Alternatively:

8
rZbZ0skZ
7
opZ0ZpZ0 8
rZbZ0skZ
6
0l0Z0A0o 7
opZ0ZpZ0
5
Z0Z0O0oN 6
0Z0ZqA0o
4
0Z0Z0Z0Z 5
Z0Z0Z0oN
3
Z0Z0Z0Z0 4
0Z0Z0Z0Z
2
PO0L0OPO 3
Z0Z0Z0Z0
1
m0Z0ZRJ0 2
PO0L0OPO
a b c d e f g h
1
m0Z0ZRJ0
a b c d e f g h
20. . . Nb3 21 aXb3 Kh7 22 NXg7 QXb3 23
Rc1
21. . . fXe6? 22 Qd3 RXf6 23 NXf6+ Kf7 24
21 e6!? Once again the sharpest choice Nh5 QXb2 25 Qh7+ Ke8 26 Rd1
White wants to retain the bishop.
21. . . BXe6 22 BXg5! Qc5 23 Nf6+ Kh8 24
BXh6 Rfd8 25 Qf4 Qc4! 26 RXa1 QXf4 27
BXf4 BXa2 28 Be5
22 h3!?

33
 8
rZbZ0skZ 8
rZ0Z0skZ
7
opZ0ZpZ0 7
opZ0ZpZ0
6
0Z0ZqA0o 6
0Z0ZbAqo
5
Z0Z0Z0oN 5
Z0Z0Z0oN
4
0Z0Z0Z0Z 4
0Z0Z0Z0Z
3
Z0Z0Z0ZP 3
Z0Z0Z0ZP
2
PO0L0OPZ 2
PO0L0OPZ
1
m0Z0ZRJ0 1
Z0Z0S0J0
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

22 RXa1 Qg4! 23 Ng3 Qf4! 24 Qc3 Bg4 24. . . Rfc8!? 25 Bc3 Rd8 26 Qe2
22 Bg7!? Qg6 23 BXf8 Be6 24 Be7 QXh5 25 g4 Rac8 26 Bc3!
25 RXa1
22. . . Qf5?! Or:
8
0ZrZ0skZ
7
opZ0ZpZ0
6
0Z0ZbZqo
8
rZbZ0skZ 5
Z0Z0Z0oN
7
opZ0ZpZ0 4
0Z0Z0ZPZ
6
0Z0Z0A0o 3
Z0A0Z0ZP
5
Z0Z0ZqoN 2
PO0L0O0Z
4
0Z0Z0Z0Z 1
Z0Z0S0J0
3
Z0Z0Z0ZP a b c d e f g h
2
PO0L0OPZ
1
m0Z0ZRJ0 26 Be7?! Rc2 27 Qd4 Ra8 28 Nf6+ Kh8
a b c d e f g h 26. . . Rfd8 27 Qe3 Rd3 28 Qe5 RcXc3 29
bXc3 Kh7?
22. . . QXa2? 23 BXg5 Qa6 24 Nf6+ Kh8 25
Bh4 Kg7 26 Qd4! Rg8 27 Qe4
22. . . Bd7 23 Re1 Qc6 24 Bc3 Bf5 25 Nf6+
Kh8 26 RXa1
22. . . b6 23 Re1! Qf5 24 g4 Qc2 25 Qd6
Bb7 26 Bc3 Qg6 27 Nf6+ Kh8
23 RXa1 Be6 24 Re1 Qg6

34
 8
0Z0Z0Z0Z 8
0Z0Z0Z0Z
7
opZ0ZpZk 7
opZ0ZpZk
6
0Z0ZbZqo 6
0Z0ZbZqo
5
Z0Z0L0oN 5
Z0ZNL0o0
4
0Z0Z0ZPZ 4
0Z0Z0ZPZ
3
Z0OrZ0ZP 3
Z0OrZ0ZP
2
PZ0Z0O0Z 2
PZ0Z0O0Z
1
Z0Z0S0J0 1
Z0Z0S0J0
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

29. . . RXh3 30 Rd1 Kh7 31 Nf6+ Kg7 32 31. . . Kf8 32 Qb8+ Kg7 33 Ne7 Qh7 34
Ne4+ Kh7 33 Rd8 Qg7 34 Nf6+ Kg6 35 Qe5+ Kf8 35 Nf5! BXf5 36 gXf5 Kg8 37 f6
Rg8 Qg6 38 Qe8+ Kh7 39 Re7
29. . . BXa2 30 Ra1 RXh3 31 Nf6+ Kg7 32 32 Ne7
Kg2 Rh4 33 Nh5+ Kh7 34 RXa2 RXg4+ 35 1-0
Ng3
30 Nf6+ Kg7 31 Nd5+

8
0Z0Z0Z0Z
7
opZ0Zpj0
6
0Z0ZbZqo
5
Z0ZNL0o0
4
0Z0Z0ZPZ
3
Z0OrZ0ZP
2
PZ0Z0O0Z
1
Z0Z0S0J0
a b c d e f g h

31 Nd7+ Kg8 32 Qb8+ Kg7 33 Qf8+ Kh7

34 Ne5
31. . . Kh7?

35
 White: Solution 9 Tallinn
Black: Barcza-Tal
Opening ECO: C25 1971
Result: 0-1

1 e4 e5 2 Nc3 Nc6 3 g3 g6 4 Bg2 Bg7 5

d3 d6 6 Be3 Nge7 7 Nf3 O-O 8 Qd2 Nd4 9
Ne2 Bh3 10 NfXd4 BXg2 11 Rg1 eXd4 12
NXd4 c5 13 Nb5 Bf3 14 g4 d5 15 BXc5 Rc8
16 Ba3 dXe4 17 dXe4 Qb6 18 BXe7 QXb5
19 BXf8 QXb2 20 BXg7 KXg7 21 Rc1 Rd8
22 Qe3 QXc2 23 Kf1 Rd1+
0-1

36
 White: Tal Tbilisi
Black: Giorgadze
Opening ECO: E87 1956
Result: 1-0

1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 g6 3 Nc3 Bg7 4 e4 d6 5 f3 25 QXg5 NXg5 26 Ncd7

O-O 6 Be3 e5 7 d5 c5?! This move is asking 25 NXf7 QXh6 26 NXh6+ Kg7 27 Re7+!
for trouble. Normally White has to regroup KXh6 28 RXh7+ KXh7 29 RXf8
his forces to start an attack on the kingside
after Black closes the centre with ...c5, but 25. . . RXf7 26 RXe8+
here he is ready immediately. 1-0
8 g4 h5 9 h3 Na6 10 Qd2 Nh7 11 O-O-O
h4? Black tries to keep the position closed,
without success.
12 f4 eXf4 13 BXf4 Nc7 14 Nf3 Re8 15 Re1
a6 Black’s counterattack is just too slow.
16 e5 dXe5 17 NXe5 Bd7 18 Bd3 White’s
pieces flow to the right squares.
18. . . Bf6 19 Rhf1 White has completed
development and is ready to take action.
19. . . Rf8 20 Ne4 Bg7 21 NXc5 Bc8 22 Kb1
Ne8 23 Bh6 BXh6 24 QXh6 Qg5 White
now concluded the game beautifully with
25 NXf7! Besides being two pawns up,
White has an overwhelming position.

8
rZbZnskZ
7
ZpZ0ZNZn
6
pZ0Z0ZpL
5
Z0MPZ0l0
4
0ZPZ0ZPo
3
Z0ZBZ0ZP
2
PO0Z0Z0Z
1
ZKZ0SRZ0
a b c d e f g h

37
 White: Tal Yerevan
Black: Karlsson
Opening ECO: C16 1980
Result: 1-0

1 e4 e6 2 d4 d5 3 Nc3 Bb4 4 e5 Qd7 5

Nf3 b6 A rare sideline.
6 Bd2 Bf8!? 7 Be2 Ba6 8 O-O c6 9 BXa6
8
rZ0l0j0Z
NXa6 10 Ne2 Ne7 11 Nf4 g6 12 Rc1 b5 13
7
Z0Z0ZpZ0
Re1 h6 14 Qe2 Nc8 15 a4 Nc7 16 aXb5 6
0m0ZNZ0Z
cXb5 17 Ra1 Be7 18 Nd3 Kf8 19 h4 Kg7
20 h5 Nb6 21 Nh2 Nc4 22 Bc1 a5 23 Ng4
5
Z0ZpO0Z0
Ne8 24 b3 Nb6 25 Be3 The game has
4
pZ0O0ZQo
come to an interesting critical point. After
b2-b3 Black has counterchances on the
3
S0Z0Z0Z0
queenside with ...a5-a4, but he has to find
2
0ZPZ0OPZ
a way to deal with the threat on h6 after 1
Z0Z0Z0J0
Qd2. In the game he chooses to weaken his a b c d e f g h
kingside structure in order to gain time.
25. . . gXh5!? 26 Nh2 Kf8 27 Qd2 Ng7 28 42 Rf3
BXh6 a4 29 Qf4 Kg8 30 BXg7 The knight 42. . . fXe6 43 Rf3+ . Black did not want to
is not allowed to go to f5. continue the misery and therefore resigned.
30. . . KXg7 31 Re3 Rh7 32 bXa4 bXa4 33
Nc5 Qc6 34 Rg3+ Kh8 35 Nf3 Black is
weak on the dark squares, even if he has a
bishop to protect this colour complex.
35. . . Qe8 36 Ng5 BXg5 37 QXg5 Qd8 38
8
rZ0l0j0Z
Qf4 Rg7 39 RXg7 KXg7 40 Ra3 White’s 7
Z0Z0Z0Z0
attack is already decisive. 6
0m0ZpZ0Z
40. . . h4 41 Qg4+ Kf8 White’s position is
so strong that several ways lead to the goal,
5
Z0ZpO0Z0
but Tal chose the most forceful one.
4
pZ0O0ZQo
42 NXe6+!
3
Z0Z0ZRZ0
2
0ZPZ0OPZ
1
Z0Z0Z0J0
a b c d e f g h

43 Rf3+ Ke8 44 QXe6+ Qe7 45 QXb6

1-0

38
 White: New game Yerevan
Black: ?
Opening ECO: D00 1980
Result: *

1 d4 d5 2 Bf4 c6 3 c3 Bf5 4 e3 Qb6 5 Qb3

Nd7 6 Nf3 h6 7 Nbd2 Ngf6 8 Be2 e6 9 Ne5
8
rZ0Z0skZ
7
opZ0apo0
8
rZ0Zka0s
6
0m0ZpZbo
7
opZnZpo0
5
Z0ZpA0Z0
6
0lpZpm0o
4
0Z0O0ZPO
5
Z0ZpMbZ0
3
Z0O0ZPZ0
4
0Z0O0A0Z
2
PO0MBJ0Z
3
ZQO0O0Z0
1
Z0Z0Z0SR
a b c d e f g h
2
PO0MBOPO
1
S0Z0J0ZR 17 Rac1 Rfd8 18 c4 dXc4 19 NXc4
a b c d e f g h
17 a4 a5 18 Bb5
9 O-O Be7 10 Ne5 NXe5 11 BXe5 17. . . f6 18 Bf4 Na4 19 c4 NXb2 20 cXd5
9. . . Be7 10 f3 NXe5 11 BXe5 O-O 12 g4 Bg6 eXd5 21 Rc1 Rac8 22 h5 Nd3+ 23 BXd3
13 h4 c5 14 Kf2 BXd3 24 Ke3 Bh7 25 Nb3 Ba3
*

8
rZ0Z0skZ
7
opZ0apo0
6
0l0Zpmbo
5
Z0opA0Z0
4
0Z0O0ZPO
3
ZQO0OPZ0
2
PO0MBJ0Z
1
S0Z0Z0ZR
a b c d e f g h

14 h5 Bh7 15 Kf2
14. . . cXd4 15 eXd4 Nd7 16 QXb6 NXb6 17
Rag1

39
 White: New game Yerevan
Black: ?
Opening ECO: E85 1980
Result: *

1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 g6 3 Nc3 Bg7 4 e4 d6 5 f3 8. . . c6 9 O-O-O a6 10 g4 b5 11 Ng3 d5

9 h4
*
8
rmblkZ0s
7
opo0opap
6
0Z0o0mpZ
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0
4
0ZPOPZ0Z
3
Z0M0ZPZ0
2
PO0Z0ZPO
1
S0AQJBMR
a b c d e f g h

5 f4 O-O 6 Nf3 c5 7 d5 Nbd7 8 Bd3 e5 9 O-

O eXf4 10 BXf4 Qe7 11 Nb5 Ne8 12 Rb1 a6
13 Nc3 Ne5 14 NXe5 dXe5 15 Be3 f5
5 Nf3 O-O 6 Be2 Nbd7 7 O-O e5 8 d5 Nc5
9 Qc2 a5 10 b3 Bd7
5. . . O-O 6 Be3 Nbd7 7 Qd2 e5 8 Nge2 Re8

8
rZblrZkZ
7
oponZpap
6
0Z0o0mpZ
5
Z0Z0o0Z0
4
0ZPOPZ0Z
3
Z0M0APZ0
2
PO0LNZPO
1
S0Z0JBZR
a b c d e f g h

40
 White: Solution 147 Riga
Black: Tal-Etruk
Opening ECO: E25 1954
Result: 1-0

1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 Nc3 Bb4 4 f3 d5 5

a3 BXc3+ 6 bXc3 c5 7 cXd5 NXd5 8 dXc5
Qa5 9 e4 NXc3 10 Qd2 Nc6 11 Bb2 Na4
12 QXa5 NXa5 13 BXg7 Rg8 14 Be5 NXc5
15 Rd1 White’s dark-squared bishop is very
strong in this position.
15. . . Bd7 16 Nh3 b6 17 Nf4 Ba4 18 Rd4
Nc6 19 RXa4 NXe5 20 Rd4 Ke7 21 Be2
Rad8 22 Rd2 Nc6 23 Rb2 Rd4 24 Kf2 f5 25
Bb5 Ne5 26 Ke3 Rgd8?! 27 Nd5+ R4Xd5
28 eXd5 f4+ 29 Ke2 eXd5 30 Kd1 Nc4 31
BXc4 dXc4+ 32 Rd2 Nd3 33 Kc2 b5 34 Rb1
Rb8 35 Kc3 Kd6 36 RXb5! RXb5 37 KXc4
Kc6 38 KXd3 Rb3+ 39 Ke4 RXa3 40 KXf4
. White’s connected pawns on the kingside
are too strong.

1-0

41
 White: Solution 146 Vilnius
Black: Gipslis-Tal
Opening ECO: B22 1955
Result: 0-1

1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 c3 d5 4 eXd5 QXd5 46 fXe4+ Kg4 47 a6 f3 48 aXb7 f2+ 49 Kf1

5 d4 Bg4 6 Be2 e6 7 O-O Nf6 8 h3 Bh5 9 h2 50 Rg3+ Kh4
Be3 cXd4 10 NXd4 BXe2 11 QXe2 NXd4 46 c6 bXc6 47 Rc5+ Ke6 48 fXe4 f3
12 BXd4 Be7 13 Nd2 O-O 14 Rfd1 Qf5
15 BXf6 BXf6 16 Ne4 Rab8 17 Rd7 a5 18 46. . . e3 47 aXb7 Rb1+ 48 Kh2 e2 49 Re3!
a4 Qe5 19 NXf6+ gXf6 20 QXe5 fXe5 21 The best try.
Re1 White has a clear edge in this double
rook endgame due to his active rook on the
seventh rank. It is really impressive that Tal
actually wins this game!
21. . . f6 22 c4! Preventing any counterplay
8
0Z0Z0Z0Z
on the queenside with ...b5. 7
ZPZ0Z0Z0
22. . . Rf7 23 Red1 Rc8 24 b3 Rc7 25 RXc7 6
0Z0Z0Z0Z
RXc7 26 Rd6 Kf7 27 Kf1 f5 28 g3 Kf6 29
Rb6 f4 30 gXf4 eXf4 31 Ke2 Kf5 32 f3 Ke5
5
Z0O0ZkZ0
33 Kd3 Rd7+ 34 Kc3 Kf5 35 Rb5+ e5 36
4
0Z0Z0o0Z
RXa5 Rd1 Black’s activity gives him plenty 3
ZPZ0SPZp
of counterplay. The position is sharp and
unclear.
2
0Z0ZpZ0J
37 Rd5 Rh1 38 a5 RXh3 39 Rd3 Rg3 40
1
ZrZ0Z0Z0
a b c d e f g h
Kd2 Rg2+ 41 Ke1 Rb2 42 c5 h5 43 Kf1 h4
44 Rc3 h3 45 Kg1 e4! 46 a6 Or:
49 b8Q Rh1+ 50 KXh1 e1Q+ 51 Kh2
Qg3+ 52 Kh1 Qg2#
49. . . fXe3 50 b8Q Rh1+ 51 KXh1 e1Q+ 52
Kh2 Qf2+ 53 KXh3 Now there is no mate
8
0Z0Z0Z0Z on g3.
7
ZpZ0Z0Z0 53. . . QXf3+ 54 Kh2 e2 55 Qf8+ Ke4 56
6
PZ0Z0Z0Z Qe8+ Kd3 57 Qb5+ Kc3 . . Press F10 for
the next puzzle.
5
Z0O0ZkZ0
4
0Z0Zpo0Z 0-1
3
ZPS0ZPZp
2
0s0Z0Z0Z
1
Z0Z0Z0J0
a b c d e f g h

42
 White: Solution 144 Palma de Majorca
Black: Tal-Trifunovic
Opening ECO: E18 1966
Result: 1-0

1 c4 Nf6 2 Nf3 e6 3 g3 b6 4 Bg2 Bb7 5 45 eXf6+ KXf6 46 Rh2 Rg8+ 47 Kf2 Rh8
O-O Be7 6 d4 O-O 7 Nc3 Ne4 8 Bd2 d5 9 45. . . BXe6
cXd5 eXd5 10 Ne5 NXc3 11 BXc3 Nd7 12
Nd3 Bd6 13 b4 c6 14 a4 a6 15 Qb3 Re8
16 Ra2 b5 17 Nc5 NXc5 18 dXc5 bXa4 19
Qb2 Bf8 20 RXa4 Bc8 21 Rfa1 Rb8 22 Bd4
h5 23 h4 Re6 24 Bf3 g5 25 hXg5 QXg5 26
8
0Z0Z0Z0s
Qc1 Qf5 27 Qf4 White wants to play the
7
Z0Z0j0Z0
endgame. Black’s pawns on the queenside 6
0ZpZbo0Z
are on light squares and are vulnerable to
attack.
5
Z0O0Z0Z0
27. . . QXf4 28 gXf4 Bg7 29 BXg7 Yes,
4
0O0Z0O0Z
please!
3
Z0Z0Z0Jp
29. . . KXg7 30 Kh2 Rg6 31 Rg1 RXg1 32
2
RZ0Z0Z0Z
KXg1 h4 33 e3 Kf6 34 Be2 Ra8 35 Kg2 Ke7 1
Z0Z0ZBZ0
36 Bd3 Kf6 37 f3 Ra7 38 e4 Unfortunately a b c d e f g h
for Black, he cannot keep the tension in the
centre as White threatens to exchange on 45. . . KXe6 46 BXh3+ f5 47 Ra6 Rc8 48 Bg2
d5 and then play b4-b5.
46 Ra7+ Bd7
38. . . h3+?! There was no need for this
check.
39 Kg3 dXe4 40 fXe4 Ra8 41 Bf1 Bd7 42
e5+ Ke7 43 RXa6 Rh8 44 Ra2 f6 45 e6!
8
0Z0Z0Z0s
7
S0Zbj0Z0
6
0ZpZ0o0Z
8
0Z0Z0Z0s 5
Z0O0Z0Z0
7
Z0Zbj0Z0 4
0O0Z0O0Z
6
0ZpZPo0Z 3
Z0Z0Z0Jp
5
Z0O0Z0Z0 2
0Z0Z0Z0Z
4
0O0Z0O0Z 1
Z0Z0ZBZ0
3
Z0Z0Z0Jp a b c d e f g h
2
RZ0Z0Z0Z
46. . . Kd8 47 Ra8+ Bc8 48 Ba6 Kc7 49
1
Z0Z0ZBZ0 RXc8+ RXc8 50 BXc8 KXc8 51 KXh3
a b c d e f g h
47 Kh2 White now threatens b4-b5.

43
47. . . Rh5 48 b5! RXc5 49 BXh3 f5 50 bXc6
RXc6 51 BXf5 Rd6 52 Kg3 Next White
exchanges everything and wins the pawn
ending.
52. . . Ke8 53 RXd7 RXd7 54 BXd7+ KXd7
55 Kg4 Ke6 56 Kg5 Taking the opposition.
56. . . Kf7 57 Kf5 . . Press F10 for the next
puzzle.

1-0

44
 White: Solution 143 Taxco
Black: Tal-Sisniega
Opening ECO: B63 1985
Result: 1-0

1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 d6 3 d4 cXd4 4 NXd4 Nf6

5 Nc3 Nc6 6 Bg5 e6 7 Qd2 Be7 8 O-O-O
O-O 9 Nb3 a5 10 a4 d5 11 Bb5 NXe4 12
NXe4 dXe4 13 QXd8 BXd8 14 BXd8 NXd8
15 Nc5 f5 16 Rd6 Kf7 17 Rhd1 Ke7 18
Bd7 Rf7 19 NXe6! BXd7 20 Nc7 The point:
White wins the exchange.
20. . . BXa4 21 NXa8 Ne6 22 Nb6 Be8 23
R6d5 Bc6 24 RXa5 Kf6 25 Nd5+ Kg6 26
Ne3 . . Press F10 for the next puzzle.

1-0

45
 White: Solution 16 Candidates Match (Game 2), Bled
Black: Tal-Portisch
Opening ECO: B11 1965
Result: 1-0

1 e4 c6 2 Nc3 d5 3 Nf3 dXe4 4 NXe4 Bg4
5 h3 BXf3 6 QXf3 Nd7 7 d4 Ngf6 8 Bd3
NXe4 9 QXe4 e6 10 O-O Be7 11 c3 Nf6 12
Qh4 Nd5 13 Qg4 Bf6 14 Re1 Qb6 15 c4?!
Nb4
17. . . Be7 18 Bg6+! Kd8 19 Bf5 QXd4 20
Bf4 Re8 21 Re1 g6 22 Bg4! Nd3 23 Re4
QXf2+ 24 Kh2 Qg1+ 25 KXg1 Bc5+ 26
Be3 RXe6 27 RXe6 a5
18 Bf4 Rd8 Or:

8
rZ0ZkZ0s
7
opZ0Zpop 8
0Z0s0j0s
6
0lpZpa0Z 7
opZ0Z0op
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0 6
0lpZQa0Z
4
0mPO0ZQZ 5
Z0Z0Z0Z0
3
Z0ZBZ0ZP 4
0mPO0A0Z
2
PO0Z0OPZ 3
Z0ZBZ0ZP
1
S0A0S0J0 2
PO0Z0OPZ
a b c d e f g h
1
S0Z0Z0J0
a b c d e f g h
15. . . Ne7 16 d5! cXd5 17 cXd5 NXd5 18
Qa4+
18. . . Re8?! 19 Bd6+ Be7 20 Re1 Qd8 21
16 RXe6+ fXe6 17 QXe6+ Kf8 Re3!
18. . . Qd8?! 19 Re1 g5! 20 Bd6+ Kg7 21
BXb4
8
rZ0Z0j0s 19 c5 NXd3! 20 cXb6 NXf4 21 Qg4 Nd5 22
7
opZ0Z0op bXa7 Ke7?
6
0lpZQa0Z
5
Z0Z0Z0Z0
4
0mPO0Z0Z
3
Z0ZBZ0ZP
2
PO0Z0OPZ
1
S0A0Z0J0
a b c d e f g h

46
 8
0Z0s0Z0s
7
OpZ0j0op
6
0ZpZ0a0Z
5
Z0ZnZ0Z0
4
0Z0O0ZQZ
3
Z0Z0Z0ZP
2
PO0Z0OPZ
1
S0Z0Z0J0
a b c d e f g h

22. . . g6
23 b4! Ra8?

8
rZ0Z0Z0s
7
OpZ0j0op
6
0ZpZ0a0Z
5
Z0ZnZ0Z0
4
0O0O0ZQZ
3
Z0Z0Z0ZP
2
PZ0Z0OPZ
1
S0Z0Z0J0
a b c d e f g h

23. . . Nc7!?
24 Re1+ Kd6 25 b5 RXa7 26 Re6+ Kc7
27 RXf6! . White checks on g7 next and
wins the rook. Black then has inadequate
compensation for the queen so he resigned.
. Press F10 for the next puzzle.

1-0

47