Icannos/chess_studies huggingface dataset:
[Event "Soviet Championship"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1941.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Bondarevsky"]
[Black "Botvinnik"]
[Result "0-1"]
[PlyCount "64"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. Nf3 Nc6 5. Bd3 cxd4 6. O-O { A well-known gambit line. Usually this pawn can be captured later on, though in this game it survives to the end, and delivers the crushing blow that finishes the game. } 6... Bc5 7. a3 { 7.Nbd2 was correct, intending 8.Nb3. } 7... Nge7 8. Nbd2 Ng6 9. Nb3 Bb6 10. Re1 Bd7 11. g3 { 11.Bxg6 hxg6 12.Nbxd4 Nxd4 13.Nxd4 Qh4 } 11... f6 12. Bxg6+ hxg6 13. Qd3 { 13.Nbxd4 Nxd4 14.Nxd4 fxe5 15.Rxe5 is good for White. } 13... Kf7 { The king will be quite safe here, and now Black's heavy artillery can be transfered to the h-file. } 14. h4 { 14.exf6 gxf6 15.Nbxd4 Nxd4 16.Nxd4 e5 } 14... Qg8 { A very strong move. The idea is to play the queen to h7, advance the g- pawn, exchange queens, and use all of the remaining pieces to attack the enemy king. } 15. Bd2 Qh7 16. Bb4 g5 17. Qxh7 Rxh7 18. exf6 { 18.hxg5 fxe5 19.Nxe5+ Nxe5 20.Rxe5 Bc7 21.Re2 e5 The central pawns give Black a decisive advantage. } 18... gxf6 19. hxg5 e5 20. gxf6 Kxf6 21. Bd6 Re8 22. Nh4 Rg8 23. Kh2 Bf5 24. Re2 d3 25. Rd2 { 25.cxd3 Bxd3 26.Rd2 Bc4 27.Nc1 Nd4 } 25... dxc2 26. f4 Be3 27. Bxe5+ Nxe5 28. fxe5+ Ke7 { The threat is Rxh4+ followed by Bf4+ and mate in a few moves. } 29. Rf1 { Now all Black has to do is decoy the rook away from the f-file. } 29... c1=Q { White resigned, because he either loses a rook or gets checkmated. } 30. Rxc1 { 30.Nxc1 Bxd2 31.Rxf5 Bxc1 } 30... Rxh4+ 31. gxh4 Bf4+ 32. Kh1 Be4+ 0-1
[Event "Soviet Championship"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1941.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Keres"]
[Black "Botvinnik"]
[Result "0-1"]
[PlyCount "48"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 d5 5. cxd5 exd5 6. Bg5 h6 7. Bh4 c5 8. O-O-O { 8.e3 cxd4 9.exd4 Nc6 10.Bb5 O-O 11.Nge2 Qb6 Black has the initiative. } 8... Bxc3 9. Qxc3 g5 10. Bg3 cxd4 11. Qxd4 { By opening up the c-file, Black creates opportunities for attack on the queenside. } 11... Nc6 12. Qa4 Bf5 13. e3 { White has still not developed any of the pieces on the kingside and therefore it will be hard for those pieces (or the bishop at g3) to come to the defense of the king. } 13... Rc8 14. Bd3 { 14.Ne2 a6 15.Nc3 b5 16.Qxa6 b4 17. Bb5 Bd7 18.Nxd5 Nb8+ The discovered check wins the queen. } 14... Qd7 15. Kb1 Bxd3+ 16. Rxd3 Qf5 { This pin must be broken, but how? } 17. e4 { 17.Qc2 Nb4 } 17... Nxe4 { The threat is Nxg3, with a discovered attack on the rook at d3. } 18. Ka1 O-O 19. Rd1 b5 { This deflects the queen from the important d4-square. } 20. Qxb5 Nd4 { Because of the weakness of the back rank, this knight cannot be captured. } 21. Qd3 Nc2+ 22. Kb1 Nb4 { White resigned, because there is no defense. } 23. Qe2 Nd2+ 24. Ka1 Nc2# 0-1
[Event "Soviet Championship"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1941.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Smyslov"]
[Black "Boleslavsky"]
[Result "1-0"]
[PlyCount "63"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Be7 6. Bxf6 gxf6 { 6...Bxf6 Keeping his pawn structure in order is also playable. } 7. g3 { White plays to stop Black from fianchettoing his light squared bishop with 7... b6. } 7... Bd7 { 7...b6 8.Bg2 Bb7 would allow White to win material. } 8. Nf3 Bc6 { Black is developing his forces effectively must always worry about the fractured kingside pawn structure. } 9. Qe2 Qd5 10. Ned2 Na6 { 10...Nd7 } 11. a3 { A simple yet strong pawn move which keeps the Black knight out of the game. } 11... O-O-O 12. Bg2 Nb8 13. O-O Qd7 14. Rfe1 Bf8 { Black is playing without a plan. He should have tried to start play on the kingside by advancing the pawn to h5. } 15. c4 h5 16. b4 { Although, both sides are launching attacks on different flanks. White's is much more powerful since he has the better pawn structure. } 16... b6 17. Ne4 Bg7 18. b5 Bb7 19. c5 Bd5 { 19...bxc5 20.Nxc5 Qe7 21.Nxb7 Kxb7 22.Ne5+ Kc8 23.Nc6 Nxc6 24.bxc6 when White has a winning attack on the light squares. } 20. Rac1 Rde8 21. c6 Qd8 { Most of Black's pieces have been pushed to the back rank which means they won't be able to defend the king. } 22. Qc2 a5 23. Rcd1 Bf8 24. Qd3 Be7 25. Nc3 Bb3 26. Rb1 a4 { 26...Bd5 27.Nxd5 Qxd5 allows White to win material. Do you see how? } 27. Nd2 h4 28. Nxb3 axb3 29. Qc4 f5 30. Qa4 { With no light-squared bishop Black is powerless to defend his light squares. } 30... Bd6 31. Qa8 Qg5 32. Nd5 { Black resigned as he has no good way of preventing 33.Qb7+. 32.Nd5 Black resigned as 32...exd5 33.Qb7+ Kd8 34.Qxb8+ Mates. } 1-0
[Event "Moscow"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1943.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Zhivtsov"]
[Black "Botvinnik"]
[Result "0-1"]
[PlyCount "54"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. Nf3 Nf6 5. Bg5 { This line has become known as the Botvinnik Variation. In this early example, the future World Champion defends the Black side. } 5... dxc4 6. e4 b5 7. e5 { White tries to capitalize on the pin at f6. } 7... h6 8. Bh4 g5 { Now the pi n is broken, but by temporarily sacrificing a piece White can re-establish it. } 9. Nxg5 hxg5 10. Bxg5 Nbd7 11. Qf3 { White could also have captured the knight now. Another plan is 11.g3, followed by the fianchetto of the bishop at g2, with pressure on the long diagonal. } 11... Bb7 12. exf6 Qb6 13. Qe3 O-O-O { 13...c5 14.d5 } 14. O-O-O Qa5 15. Kb1 Nb6 16. h4 { Black is attacking on the queenside, and White should not be wasting time advancing the h-pawn. 16.Be2 was correct. } 16... b4 17. Ne4 c5 18. f3 c3 19. Be2 { 19.bxc3 Nd5 } 19... Bd5 20. a3 { 20.b3 c2+ 21.Kxc2 Qxa2+ 22.Kd3 Qxb3+ 23.Kd2 Qxe3+ 24.Kxe3 c4 } 20... Na4 21. dxc5 Bxc5 22. Nxc5 Nxc5 23. bxc3 { 23.Rc1 Nb3 24.Rc2 Nd4 25.Qxd4 Ba2+ } 23... bxc3 24. Rd3 Qb6+ 25. Kc1 Qb2+ 26. Kd1 Nxd3 27. Bxd3 Bb3+ { White exceeded the time limit here, but his position was hopeless anyway. } 0-1
[Event "Prague"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1943.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Kubanek"]
[Black "Alekhine"]
[Result "0-1"]
[PlyCount "28"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O d6 6. Bxc6+ bxc6 7. d4 Nxe4 { Black hopes to maintain the knight here to use as the basis for a kingside attack. } 8. Qe2 f5 9. dxe5 d5 10. Be3 { With Black still at least two moves from castling White should either try to undermine Black's knight by 10. Nfd2 and f3 open the center by 10.c4. } 10... c5 11. c3 { A consequence of his previous passivity, but now Black has the initiative. } 11... Be7 12. g3 { Fearing a possible ...f4 after Black castles, but losing time and weakening his king position. } 12... O-O 13. Ne1 { White finally decides to get the knight out of e4, but Black has taken over the initiative, and on e1 the knight blocks in White's rook. } 13... a5 14. f3 { Missing the point of Black's last move. He had to play something like 14.Na3, to support c3. } 14... Ba6 { White has no desire to find out how Black will use his material advantage after 15.Qany Bxf1. } 0-1
[Event "Soviet Championship"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1945.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Botvinnik"]
[Black "Koblents"]
[Result "1-0"]
[PlyCount "51"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 c6 5. e3 Nbd7 6. Bd3 Be7 7. O-O O-O 8. b3 b6 9. Bb2 Bb7 10. Qe2 Rc8 11. Rac1 Bd6 { Both sides have developed in accordance with the principles of the opening. Now White takes action to secure more territory in the center. } 12. e4 dxc4 13. bxc4 e5 { Black is not about to permit his opponent to control the entire center! } 14. dxe5 Bxe5 15. Rcd1 Qe7 16. Nh4 { White now turns his attention to the kingside. Black should reply with a sensible move like 16...Rfd8. Instead, he makes a reckless move on the queenside. } 16... Qb4 17. Qc2 { Black's king seems safe, but if the bishop is dislodged from e5, then the e-pawn will advance an open up a diagonal for the battery of queen and bishop. } 17... Nc5 18. a3 Qa5 19. Nf5 Rcd8 20. f4 Nxd3 21. Rxd3 { White does not mind this exchange, since the rook can operate on the kingside. Black can win a pawn here, and does. } 21... Qc5+ 22. Kh1 Qxc4 { The bishop at e5 is under attack, but so is the rook at d3. Black probably anticipated a series of exchanges on the third rank, but Botvinnik has a better idea. } 23. fxe5 Rxd3 24. exf6 { The attack is more important than a small amount of material. } 24... Rd7 { 24...Rxc3 25.Ne7+ Kh8 26.fxg7+ Kxg7 27.Bxc3+ f6 28.Bxf6+ Kh6 29.Qd2+ Kh5 30. Qg5+ } 25. Qc1 Rfd8 { Now White would like to play Qg5, but there is a small problem -- the rook at f1 is en prise. } 26. Rg1 { Black resigned, because there was no hope of a successful defense. Try playing the Black side against Gambit and you will see why. } 1-0
[Event "USA-USSR Radio match"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1945.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Denker"]
[Black "Botvinnik"]
[Result "0-1"]
[PlyCount "50"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. Nf3 Nf6 5. Bg5 dxc4 6. e4 b5 7. e5 h6 8. Bh4 g5 9. Nxg5 hxg5 10. Bxg5 Nbd7 11. exf6 Bb7 12. Be2 Qb6 13. O-O { Denker was r with Botvinnik's experience in this line and was prepared for this game. Botvinnik was also ready. } 13... O-O-O 14. a4 { But this came as somewhat of a surprise. Still, the move is not very good, because it allows me to advance my queenside pawns and does little to disrupt my queenside play. } 14... b4 15. Ne4 c5 16. Qb1 Qc7 17. Ng3 { 17.h4 Bh6 } 17... cxd4 { The point of this move is to deflect the bishop from coverage of the f3- square. } 18. Bxc4 Qc6 19. f3 { White was forced to accept this weakening of the a7-g1 diagonal because 19.Bf3 was no longer possible. If there were no pawn at d4, Botvinnik could now win the bishop at g5 by playing Qc5+. } 19... d3 20. Qc1 { Defending the bishop. } 20... Bc5+ 21. Kh1 Qd6 22. Qf4 { Now Black finishes with a fine mating combination. Do you see how it works? } 22... Rxh2+ 23. Kxh2 Rh8+ 24. Qh4 Rxh4+ 25. Bxh4 Qf4 0-1
[Event "Soviet Championship"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1945.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Smyslov"]
[Black "Rudakovsky"]
[Result "1-0"]
[PlyCount "55"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 d6 6. Be2 Be7 7. O-O O-O 8. Be3 Nc6 { Perhaps this commits the knight too early. Another idea is to gain space on the queenside with pawn a6 followed by pawn b5; when the Black knight would keep the option of going to c5 attacking White's e-pawn via d7. } 9. f4 Qc7 10. Qe1 { White prepares an attack by lifting the queen over to the kingside. } 10... Nxd4 11. Bxd4 e5 12. Be3 Be6 { A mistake which weakens the d5 square since Black's light squared bishop will be unable to stay on e6. 12...exf4 With the idea of clearing an outpost on e5 for the Black knight. 13.Rxf4 Be6 14.Bd4 Nd7 15.Qg3 Ne5 With chances for both sides. } 13. f5 { White wants to drive the bishop away so that his knight can gain the outpost at d5. } 13... Bc4 { 13...Bd7 Black should admit that he needs his light squared bishop to cover the d5 square. For example 14.g4 Bc6 15.Bf3 d5 16.exd5 e4 17.Nxe4 Nxd5 18.Bd4 when White's pawn advantage is somewhat hampered by his exposed king. } 14. Bxc4 Qxc4 15. Bg5 { White wastes no time in removing Black's last protector of the d5 square. } 15... Rfe8 16. Bxf6 Bxf6 17. Nd5 { White has a big advantage due to his active knight which is planted on the d5 square. } 17... Bd8 { 17...Qxc2 18.Rf2 Qc5 19.Rc1 Qd4 20.Nc7 Forks the Black rooks. } 18. c3 b5 19. b3 Qc5+ 20. Kh1 Rc8 21. Rf3 { White's outposted knight on d5 cramps the Black pieces which means they will have problems getting over to protect the king. } 21... Kh8 { 21...f6 Played to stop White from playing pawn f6 would be met with 22.Rh3 a5 23.Qh4 with an attack on the h-file. } 22. f6 gxf6 { 22...g6 23.Qd2 Rg8 24.Qh6 Bb6 This allows White a forced mate in two. } 23. Qh4 Rg8 24. Nxf6 { The White knight moves from his d5 outpost to join in the winning kingside attack. } 24... Rg7 25. Rg3 Bxf6 { Black finally eliminates the White knight but in so doing creates new problems . } 26. Qxf6 { The pin on Black's g7 rook proves to be fatal. } 26... Rg8 27. Rd1 d5 28. Rxg7 { Black resigned. 28.Rxg7 Black resigned due to his weak back rank after Rxg7 29.Rxd5 when Rd8+ follows next move. } 1-0
[Event "USSR vs USA"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1945.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Smyslov"]
[Black "Reshevsky"]
[Result "1-0"]
[PlyCount "81"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Nxe4 6. d4 b5 7. Bb3 d5 8. dxe5 Be6 9. c3 Bc5 { This is the most common continuation of the Open Variation of the Spanish Game. } 10. Nbd2 O-O 11. Bc2 f5 { 11...Nxf2 12.Rxf2 f6 is the exciting Dilworth variation, which is rarely seen in top level competition. } 12. Nb3 Bb6 13. Nfd4 Nxd4 14. Nxd4 Bxd4 15. cxd4 { The exchanges have left with a protected passed pawn on e5. } 15... f4 { This sets up a very interesting piece sacrifice by helping to control the g3 square. } 16. f3 { Played with the idea of driving back the Black knight. However, White is in for a surprise. Do you see the sacrifice? } 16... Ng3 { A piece sacrifice which tries to take advantage of White's dark squares on the kingside. } 17. hxg3 fxg3 18. Qd3 { 18.Re1 Qh4 19.Be3 Qh2+ 20.Kf1 Bh3 21.Qe2 Qh1+ 22.Bg1 Bxg2+ 23.Qxg2 Rxf3+ would give Black the type of mating attack he wanted. } 18... Bf5 { Black must protect his h7 pawn. 18...Qh4 19.Qxh7+ Qxh7 20. Bxh7+ Kxh7 21.Bd2 when White's pawn structure would give him the better ending. } 19. Qxf5 Rxf5 20. Bxf5 Qh4 21. Bh3 Qxd4+ 22. Kh1 Qxe5 23. Bd2 Qxb2 { An intriguing position. White has rook and two bishops against queen and four pawns. Black's chances are based upon a rapid advance of his passed pawns. } 24. Bf4 c5 { A mistake which drops the d-pawn. 24...d4 Better was advancing the d-pawn quickly which would tie down the White pieces. } 25. Be6+ Kh8 26. Bxd5 { With only one passed pawn to deal with White's pieces have the advantage. } 26... Rd8 27. Rad1 c4 28. Bxg3 c3 29. Be5 { White halts the c-pawn's advance by pinning it to the Black queen. } 29... b4 30. Bb3 Rd2 31. f4 h5 32. Rb1 Rf2 33. Rfe1 { 33.Rxb2 Rxf1+ 34.Kh2 cxb2 35.Bxb2 Rxf4 With chances for both sides. } 33... Qd2 34. Rbd1 Qb2 35. Rd8+ { With the rook breaking through to the 8th rank Black's king won't survive for long. } 35... Kh7 36. Bg8+ Kg6 37. Rd6+ Kf5 38. Be6+ Kg6 39. Bd5+ Kh7 40. Be4+ Kg8 41. Bg6 { Black resigned as his king is caught in a mating net. } 1-0
[Event "Maastricht"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1946.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Wolthuis"]
[Black "Euwe"]
[Result "0-1"]
[PlyCount "42"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Be2 O-O 6. Nf3 Nbd7 7. O-O e5 8. dxe5 { 8.d5 Nc5 9.Qc2 a5 not allowing White to chase the knight away with pawn b4. } 8... dxe5 9. b3 c6 { Black has good chances due to the weak d4 square, which can be used as an outpost. } 10. Qc2 Re8 11. Ba3 { 11.Bb2 Keeping the bishop on to defend the d4 square seems more logical. } 11... Bf8 { The bishop no longer has a future on the a1-h8 diagonal so this exchange makes a lot of sense. } 12. Bxf8 Nxf8 13. c5 { 13.h3 not allowing Black to play Bg4 and Bxf3 would keep better control of the d4 square. } 13... Bg4 14. Nd2 Ne6 { Headed toward d4! } 15. f3 { 15.b4 Nd4 16.Qd1 would be better but still Black has the edge thanks to his strong knight on d4. } 15... Nd4 { With this move Black gets a strong outpost for his knight. } 16. Qd3 Be6 17. f4 { An oversight which costs White a piece. 17.Kh1 when White's king is safer tucked away in the corner. } 17... Nxe2+ 18. Qxe2 Qd4+ 19. Kh1 Qxc3 20. f5 gxf5 21. exf5 Bd5 { White resigned. } 0-1
[Event "Groningen"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1946.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Smyslov"]
[Black "Kottnauer"]
[Result "1-0"]
[PlyCount "41"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be2 e6 { With this m ove Black transposes to the Scheveningen Sicilian, which is a favorite defense of mine. } 7. O-O b5 { This move is a mistake since Black is undeveloped and therefore isn't ready to meet White's play on the h1-a8 diagonal. 7...Be7 8.Be3 O-O 9.a4 when Black's little center and semi-open c-file give him good chances, as I have demonstrated on a number of occasions. } 8. Bf3 Ra7 { 8...Bb7 9.e5 dxe5 10.Bxb7 Ra7 } 9. Qe2 Rc7 { 9...Rd7 10.e5 dxe5 11.Nc6 Qc7 12.Nxb8 Qxb8 13.Bc6 when White wins the exchange. } 10. Rd1 { White's lead in development gives him a winning initiative. } 10... Nbd7 11. a4 { White uses his lead in development to start a queenside attack. } 11... bxa4 { 11...b4 Trying to keep the position closed wouldn't help after 12. Na2 a5 13.Nb5 when Black has problems defending his d-pawn. } 12. Nxa4 Bb7 { 12...Be7 Preparing to castle was better but 13.Bd2 would still give White a big development advantage with 14.Ba5 being threatened. } 13. e5 { White uses lead in development to start play in the center which is where Black's king has remained. } 13... Nxe5 { 13...dxe5 14.Bxb7 exd4 15.Bxa6 Bc5 16.Nxc5 Nxc5 17. Bb5+ Ke7 18.Bf4 would be good for White because of Black's exposed King. } 14. Bxb7 Rxb7 15. Qxa6 Qb8 16. Nc6 { White removes Black's best placed piece: the knight on e5. } 16... Nxc6 17. Qxc6+ Nd7 18. Nc5 { The culmination of White's lead in development. The idea is to take advantage of the pinned Black knight on d7. } 18... dxc5 { 18...Rc7 19.Nxd7 Rxd7 20.Ra8 wins the Black queen. } 19. Bf4 { White plays a deflection sacrifice which Black can't except due to his weak back rank. } 19... Bd6 { 19...Qxf4 20.Qc8+ Ke7 21.Qxb7 when Black would also lose his knight because of the pin on the seventh rank. } 20. Bxd6 Rb6 21. Qxd7+ { Black resigned because he would be a piece down after 21...Kxd7 22.Bxb8+. } 1-0
[Event "Soviet Union"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1946.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Bondarevsky"]
[Black "Smyslov"]
[Result "0-1"]
[PlyCount "84"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Bxc6 { White plays the Delayed Exchange variation of the Spanish Game. On the one had he will double Black's c-pawns, but on the other hand he concedes the bishop pair to Black. } 6... dxc6 7. Re1 Nd7 { 7...Bg4 pinning the White knight is also possible. } 8. d4 exd4 9. Qxd4 { Although, material is equal White has an extra pawn on the kingside which gives him a pawn majority. } 9... O-O 10. Bf4 { 10.Nc3 Nc5 11. Qxd8 Rxd8 12.Bg5 f6 13.Be3 Ne6 would leave White with his pawn majority on the kingside. } 10... Nc5 11. Qxd8 Bxd8 { Ideally White would like to exchange off all the pieces reaching a king and pawn ending. The reason for this is that White could make a passed pawn with his e-pawn by using his pawn majority. } 12. Nc3 f5 { Black responds with an active move. } 13. e5 { This is a prem ature advance of the pawn. Better was 13.Bg5. 13.Bg5 Bxg5 14.Nxg5 h6 when Black has a drawing chances. } 13... Ne6 14. Bd2 g5 { White now stands worse since his e-pawn is blockaded and in need of constant defense. } 15. Ne2 c5 { Taking the d4 square away from the White knights. } 16. Bc3 b5 17. b3 { 17.Rad1 would allow Black to win a piece. } 17... Bb7 18. Ng3 g4 19. Nd2 Be7 20. Nh5 Kf7 21. Nf1 Kg6 22. Nf6 Rad8 23. Rad1 Rxd1 24. Rxd1 Rd8 25. Rxd8 Bxd8 { The ending is better for Black who has the two bishops and the White e-pawn blockaded. } 26. Ne3 { 26.Bb2 } 26... f4 27. Nd1 Bxf6 28. exf6 Be4 29. Bb2 b4 { 29...Bxc2 30.Nc3 would allow White's knight more activity and since the c- pawn isn't going anywhere there is no rush in taking it. } 30. f3 { 30.c3 would allow Black to win a piece. } 30... Bxc2 31. Nf2 gxf3 32. gxf3 Bb1 33. Ne4 Bxa2 { Black is two pawns up has no problems winning. } 34. Nd2 a5 35. Kf2 Nd4 36. Bxd4 cxd4 37. Ke2 Kxf6 38. Kd3 Ke5 39. Kc2 a4 { A pawn sacrifice which gives Black three passed pawns. } 40. bxa4 { 40.Kb2 Bxb3 41.Nxb3 axb3 42.Kxb3 d3 With a winning pawn ending for Black. } 40... c5 { Black's pawns are too much for White to handle. } 41. a5 c4 42. a6 d3+ { White resigned as he can't stop the pawns for example 43.Kb2 c3+ 44. Kxa2 cxd2 45.a7 d1Q 46.a8Q when Black is able to win White's queen. Do you see how? } 0-1
[Event "Groningen"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1946.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Smyslov"]
[Black "Steiner"]
[Result "1-0"]
[PlyCount "47"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e5 3. dxe5 Ne4 { 3...Ng4 4.Nf3 Nc6 5.Bf4 Bb4+ 6.Nbd2 Qe7 allows Black to regain his pawn. } 4. Nf3 Bb4+ 5. Bd2 Nxd2 6. Nbxd2 Nc6 7. a3 { White now holds the initiative. } 7... Bxd2+ 8. Qxd2 Qe7 9. Qc3 { The pawn at e5 is now secure. } 9... O-O 10. Rd1 Re8 11. Rd5 b6 { Black has no way to put further pressure at e5. } 12. e3 Bb7 13. Be2 Rad8 { 13...Na5 14.b4 with similiar play to the actual game. } 14. O-O Nb8 15. Rc1 { A very deep exchange sacrifice. The idea is that White's pawn and piece will be more active that Black's rook. } 15... Bxd5 16. cxd5 d6 { 16...c5 Trying to keep the c-file closed to White's pieces would be met with 17.Bb5 a6 18.d6 Qe6 19.Bc4 Qf5 20.Bd5 Nc6 21.Bxc6 dxc6 22.h3 when White has a protected passed d-pawn. } 17. Bb5 { This drives the Black rook to a less active square. } 17... Rf8 18. e4 a6 19. Bd3 dxe5 { 19...Rfe8 20.e6 fxe6 21.dxe6 c5 22.Bc4 would leave White with a strong passed e-pawn. } 20. Nxe5 Rd6 21. Nc4 Rh6 22. Ne3 Qh4 { 22...Rc8 White now regains his lost exchange by tactical means. } 23. Qxc7 Rf6 24. g3 1-0
[Event "Groningen"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1946.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Szabo"]
[Black "Euwe"]
[Result "0-1"]
[PlyCount "84"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. Nf3 a6 4. e3 Nf6 5. Bxc4 e6 6. O-O c5 7. Qe2 Nc6 8. Rd1 { A typical position from the Queen's Gambit Accepted has been played, where White puts his hopes on the d-file and center while Black counters on the queenside. } 8... b5 9. Bb3 c4 10. Bc2 Nb4 11. Nc3 Nxc2 12. Qxc2 Bb7 13. e4 { 13.d5 exd5 14.e4 would give White good play for the pawn since Black's king has remained in the center. } 13... b4 14. e5 { 14.d5 would be to late due to 14. ..bxc3 15.dxe6 Qa5 when White wouldn't get enough play for the piece. } 14... bxc3 15. exf6 gxf6 16. Qa4+ Qd7 17. Qxc4 Rc8 18. Qe2 Rg8 { Black uses the open g-file to launch a kingside attack. } 19. Ne1 Qd5 20. f3 { 20.bxc3 would allow Black a winning combination. } 20... Bd6 { Black has a winning initiative with his pieces aiming at the White king. } 21. Kh1 Qh5 { Very nice. Black forces another pawn weakness on White's kingside due to the threatened mate. } 22. h3 Rg3 { Black prepares to double rooks thus bringing his final piece into the attack. } 23. Be3 Ke7 24. Qf1 Rcg8 25. bxc3 Rxg2 26. Qxg2 { 26.Nxg2 Qxh3+ 27.Kg1 Bxf3 28.Rd2 Bh2+ 29.Kf2 Bxg2 } 26... Rxg2 27. Kxg2 Qg6+ { Although White has managed to get two rooks for the queen Black still has a winning attack. } 28. Kf2 Bg3+ 29. Ke2 Bxe1 { Black removes the only White piece which can help defend the light squares. } 30. Rxe1 Qg2+ { The light squares belong to Black. The rooks are no match for the queen here. } 31. Kd3 Bxf3 32. a4 Be4+ 33. Kc4 Qc2 { Black has a winning attack which all takes place on the light squares. } 34. d5 Bxd5+ 35. Kb4 Kd7 36. c4 Qxc4+ 37. Ka5 Qc3+ 38. Kxa6 Bc4+ 39. Kb7 Qb3+ 40. Bb6 { 40.Ka7 Kc7 also mates. } 40... Qf3+ 41. Kb8 Ba6 42. Red1+ Ke8 { White resigned. 42...Ke8 43.Kc7 Qb7+ 44.Kd6 Qxb6+ Mates. } 0-1
[Event "Groningen"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1946.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Steiner"]
[Black "Botvinnik"]
[Result "0-1"]
[PlyCount "56"]

1. d4 e6 2. c4 f5 3. g3 Nf6 4. Bg2 Bb4+ 5. Bd2 Be7 6. Nc3 O-O 7. Qc2 d5 8. Nf3 c6 { The Stonewall Dutch is a fighting opening for Black, who slowly transfers pieces to the kingside and then attacks. } 9. O-O Qe8 10. Bf4 Qh5 11. Rae1 Nbd7 12. Nd2 g5 13. Bc7 Ne8 { The bishop is an important defender of the kingside, so it must be eliminated. } 14. Be5 Nxe5 15. dxe5 f4 { Now the dark squares are more vulnerable. Notice the importance of Black's pawn at d5, which controls the e4-square so that it cannot be used by the White knights. } 16. gxf4 gxf4 17. Nf3 Kh8 { The g-file is needed for rooks. } 18. Kh1 Ng7 19. Qc1 { If 19.e4 then 19...fxe3 20.fxe3 Nf5 21.Qf2 Rg8 22.Ne2 Qh6 } 19... Bd7 20. a3 Rf7 21. b4 Rg8 22. Rg1 Nf5 23. Nd1 { 23.Qxf4 Ng3+ 24.fxg3 Rxf4 25.gxf4 Be8 } 23... Rfg7 24. Qxf4 { 24.Bf1 Qxf3+ 25.exf3 Rxg1++ } 24... Rg4 25. Qd2 Nh4 { The knight at f3 is the key to White's defense. By eliminating it, Black secures the victory. } 26. Ne3 Nxf3 27. exf3 Rh4 28. Nf1 Bg5 { Botvinnik wa s convinced that this victory was due to Denker's lack of understanding of the ideas of the Dutch Defense, and this game stands as a model of appropriate play by Black. } 0-1
[Event "World Championship"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1948.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Smyslov"]
[Black "Euwe"]
[Result "1-0"]
[PlyCount "51"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Nxe4 6. d4 b5 7. Bb3 d5 8. dxe5 Be6 { Black is playing the Open Variation where his active centralized pieces compensate for the pronounced weakness of his c5 and c6 squares. } 9. Qe2 { Played with the idea of clearing the d1 square for the White rook. } 9... Nc5 { With the White rook cleared to move to d1 Black will try to reduce the pressure on d5 by eliminating the bishop on b3. } 10. Rd1 Nxb3 11. axb3 Qc8 12. c4 dxc4 $13 { Black shouldn't except the pawn sacrifice since he will fall behind in development. 12...Nb4 13.cxb5 axb5 14.Rxa8 Qxa8 15.Qxb5+ c6 White's extra pawn is the useless doubled b-pawn. Black has plenty of counterplay$ } 13. bxc4 Bxc4 14. Qe4 Ne7 { Going backwards with the knight only furthers Black's kingside development. 14...Nb4 15.Na3 Although, White still retains the initiative. Black would be able to develop his kingside. } 15. Na3 c6 { Black has to give back the pawn. However, this still doesn't help his lagging development. 15...Bb3 16.Rd3 Be6 17.Nxb5 Bf5 would allow White a winning combination. } 16. Nxc4 bxc4 17. Qxc4 Qb7 { 17...Qe6 18.Rxa6 when White wins if Black accepts the queen sacrifice. } 18. e6 { White wastes no time in attacking Black's exposed king. } 18... f6 19. Rd7 Qb5 20. Qxb5 cxb5 21. Nd4 { Black's lagging development carries over into the ending. } 21... Rc8 22. Be3 Ng6 23. Rxa6 Ne5 24. Rb7 Bc5 { Black has finally gotten his bishop out but it's too late to make a difference. } 25. Nf5 O-O 26. h3 { Black resigned since he is a pawn down and doesn't have a defense to White's attack on the seventh rank. 26.h3 g6 27.Nh6+ Kh8 28.Bxc5 Rxc5 29.Raa7 With mate soon to follow by Rxh7. } 1-0
[Event "World Championship"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1948.??.??"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Botvinnik"]
[Black "Euwe"]
[Result "1-0"]
[PlyCount "63"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 c6 5. e3 Nbd7 6. Bd3 Bb4 { This is a ra ther old-fashioned variation of the Semi-Slav Defense in the Queen's Gambit Declined. } 7. a3 Ba5 8. Qc2 Qe7 9. Bd2 dxc4 10. Bxc4 e5 11. O-O O-O 12. Rae1 Bc7 13. Ne4 Nxe4 14. Qxe4 a5 15. Ba2 Nf6 16. Qh4 e4 17. Ne5 { White invites a series of exchanges at e5. } 17... Bxe5 18. dxe5 Qxe5 19. Bc3 { This pin allows White to place a great deal of pressure on Black's kingside, especially at f6. } 19... Qe7 20. f3 { A strong move. Still, White could have disrupted the kingside pawn structure by capturing the knight, the threat of opening the file so that the rook can participate is much more powerful. } 20... Nd5 21. Qxe7 Nxe7 22. fxe4 { Now we have an endgame where the material is even, but where White has a bishop pair and the semi-open f-file, while Black can take some comfort in the fact that White's pawn structure has been shattered. } 22... b6 { Despite the doubled White pawns, Black is in a difficult position because of the activity of White's pieces. To exploit this, White first grabs the d-file. } 23. Rd1 { Now we examine the position, but mentally remove the Rf8 from the board. That gives us a simple mate in one with Rd8. Given this, it is easy to understand White's main threat: Rxf7!, using the power of the Ba2. } 23... Ng6 { Ok, the first plan must be abandoned. But now White can infiltrate the enemy position with tempo. } 24. Rd6 Ba6 { A good reply. Black will reposition the bishop at b5, where it more actively defends the pawn at c6. } 25. Rf2 Bb5 { The pressure on the f-file is more important than doubling rooks on the d-file . } 26. e5 { White's plan is to advance the e-pawns, using one to eliminate the opposing pawn at f7, and allowing its brother to become a passed pawn. } 26... Ne7 { Now that White has temporarily conceded control of d5, the Black knight hopes to find a new home there. 26...Rae8 permits White to carry out his plan: 27.e6 fxe6 28.Rd7 Re7 29.Bxe6+ Kh8 30.Rxf8+ Nxf8 31.Rxe7 } 27. e4 { This regains control of d5. } 27... c5 28. e6 f6 { 28...fxe6? 29.Rxe6! } 29. Rxb6 Bc6 { If you imagine the position with the knight gone from e7, you see that the discovered check with e6-e7 is good. So perhaps you can guess White's next move. } 30. Rxc6 Nxc6 31. e7+ Rf7 32. Bd5 { The most effective move. The pin on the Nc6 is even stronger than the one at f7, and if 32...Rc8, then on 33.Bxc6 the bishop cannot be recaptured because the pawn would queen. So Black resigned. } 1-0
[Event "World Championship"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1948.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Smyslov"]
[Black "Reshevsky"]
[Result "1-0"]
[PlyCount "103"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 d6 5. c3 Ne7 6. d4 Bd7 7. Bb3 h6 8. Nbd2 Ng6 9. Nc4 Be7 10. O-O O-O 11. Ne3 Bf6 { Both sides have developed comfortably and Black is putting pressure on the center. White deals with that matter quickly and decisively. } 12. Nd5 Re8 13. dxe5 Bxe5 { 13...dxe5 14. Nxf6+ wins material. 13...Ngxe5 14.Nxe5 Nxe5 15.f4 Nc6 16.e5! gives Black a lot to worry about. For example: 16...dxe5 17.Nxf6+ gxf6 18.fxe5 fxe5 19.Bxh6 } 14. Nxe5 dxe5 { Not only has White secured the bishop pair, but he has reduced the Black knights to passive functions while his own steed occupies a magnificent post at d5. The d-file is where the action is, so White transfers a rook there. } 15. Qf3 Be6 16. Rd1 Bxd5 { Black's play has been pretty much forced, but now White has both the central file and kingside pressure. } 17. Rxd5 Qe7 { The d7-square would be a nice home for the rook, and White uses the threat of infiltration to secure a more active position for his queen. } 18. Qf5 Nf8 { 18...Rad8 looks logical, but White can obtain an advantage by exploiting the indirect pin at f7: 19.Bxh6! gxh6 20.Rxd8 Rxd8 21. Qxg6+ Kf8 22.Qxh6+ Ke8 23.Bd5 } 19. Be3 Ne6 20. Rad1 Red8 { White's positio n is very strong, and now he makes a quiet move which deprives Black of the use of f4, and puts him in near zugzwang. } 21. g3 Rd6 { A commital move which leaves Black with a backward pawn, but there was little else available. If the backward pawn were the only drawback, it wouldn't be too bad, but the resulting weakness at b6 will turn out to be important. } 22. Rxd6 cxd6 23. Qg4 { The cheap trick at h6 is not the real point of the move, which has the far more subtle goal of enabling the queen to get to the h4-d8 diagonal. Already Smyslov sees the potential power of a bishop at b6! } 23... Kh8 24. Bb6 Nb8 { Black also appreciates White's last move and hastens to drive the offending cleric from its new post. Reshevsky would no doubt have preferred to play Rc8 first, but that was not possible. 24...Rc8 25.Rd2 Nb8 26.Qd1! Rc6 27. Ba7 Nd7 28.Bd5! Rc7 29.Bxe6 fxe6 30.Rxd6 } 25. Bxe6 fxe6 26. Qh4 { Taking advanta ge of the fact that Black cannot exchange at d4 without dropping the d-pawn. But as it turns out White forces the exchange at d8, and still gets his prize. } 26... Qd7 27. Qd8+ Qxd8 28. Bxd8 Nd7 { 28...Nc6 29.Bb6 and Black cannot defend d6. } 29. Bc7 Nc5 30. Rxd6 Rc8 { 30...Nxe4 31.Rxe6 and the e-pawn falls. } 31. Bb6 Na4 32. Rxe6 Nxb2 33. Rxe5 Nc4 34. Re6 Nxb6 35. Rxb6 Rxc3 36. Rxb7 { and the endgame is relatively straightforward. } 36... Rc2 37. h4 Rxa2 38. Kg2 a5 39. h5 a4 40. Ra7 { The rook is properly behind the pawn and also controls the seventh rank, so the kingside pawns can advance easily. } 40... Kg8 41. g4 a3 42. Kg3 Re2 43. Kf3 Ra2 44. Ke3 Kf8 45. f3 Ra1 46. Kf4 a2 47. e5 { An importa nt move, becuase it secures the f6-square, so that when Black trades the a-pawn for the f-pawn, White will be able to place his king at g6. } 47... Kg8 48. Kf5 Rf1 49. Rxa2 Rxf3+ 50. Kg6 Kf8 51. Ra8+ Ke7 52. Ra7+ 1-0
[Event "World Championship Tournament"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1948.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Botvinnik"]
[Black "Keres"]
[Result "1-0"]
[PlyCount "45"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 Re8 7. Ne2 e5 8. Ng3 d6 9. Be2 Nbd7 { Here the knight makes it difficult to develop the bishop at c8, so 9...Nc6 would have been better. } 10. O-O c5 11. f3 cxd4 { This is a mistake because there really isn't any chance of creating play along the c-file. } 12. cxd4 Nb6 13. Bb2 exd4 14. e4 { White takes control of the center. The d-pawn can be recovered later, since it is so weak that there is no way that Black will be able to hold onto it. } 14... Be6 15. Rc1 { Admirable patience! On 15.Qxd4 Na4 Black might have had some counterplay. } 15... Re7 16. Qxd4 Qc7 { Black would have done better to transfer a knight to c5 via a4. Now White breaks through decisively. } 17. c5 dxc5 18. Rxc5 Qf4 { Black must guard against checkmate at g7. White needs to apply more pressure. The difficult move to find is White's next, because the bishop seems to be so well placed at b2. } 19. Bc1 { The reasoning here is that White wants to bring a rook to g5, but that square is guarded by the queen. Therefore White drives away the enemy queen and takes control of the g5-square, attacking g7 from the front. } 19... Qb8 20. Rg5 Nbd7 { What now? White exploits the central position of the queen to set up a deadly pin, sacrificing a rook in the process. } 21. Rxg7+ Kxg7 { Now the Nf6 is pinned, and that allows White to bring more pieces into the attack. } 22. Nh5+ Kg6 { If the Black king had retreated, White would simply have captured at f6 with an overpowering game. } 23. Qe3 { The threat is Qg5 mate, whether or not Black captures at h5. There being no adequate defense, Black resigned. } 1-0
[Event "World Championship"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1948.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Botvinnik"]
[Black "Euwe"]
[Result "1-0"]
[PlyCount "71"]

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c4 e6 4. Nc3 c6 5. e3 Nbd7 6. Bd3 dxc4 7. Bxc4 b5 8. Bd3 a6 9. e4 c5 10. e5 cxd4 11. Nxb5 axb5 12. exf6 Qb6 13. fxg7 Bxg7 14. O-O Nc5 15. Bf4 Bb7 16. Re1 Rd8 17. Rc1 Rd5 18. Be5 Bxe5 19. Rxe5 Rxe5 20. Nxe5 Nxd3 21. Qxd3 f6 { The Black king is clearly in a lot of trouble, with only a little nuisance value on the g-file as compensation. The combination of queen and rook are so strong that White can afford to part with the knight. } 22. Qg3 fxe5 { Black might as well capture, as the queen will infiltrate at g7 anyway. } 23. Qg7 Rf8 24. Rc7 { White has complete control of the seventh rank and threatens mate at d7 and d7. Black must sacrifice the queen in order to stay in the game. } 24... Qxc7 { 24...Qd6 25.Rxb7 d3 26.Ra7! The threat is Ra8+. } 25. Qxc7 Bd5 { Even though Black no longer has to worry about checkmate, the queen can attack most of the White pawns and resistance proves futile. } 26. Qxe5 d3 27. Qe3 Bc4 28. b3 Rf7 29. f3 { White is in no hurry. This move creates a little breathing space for the king which can now work on the dark squares. The bishop can be captured later. } 29... Rd7 30. Qd2 e5 31. bxc4 bxc4 32. Kf2 Kf7 33. Ke3 Ke6 34. Qb4 Rc7 { 34...d2 35.Qxd2 Rxd2 36.Kxd2 and the endgame is easily winning for White. } 35. Kd2 Rc6 36. a4 { Black gave up here. } 1-0
[Event "World Championship"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1948.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Smyslov"]
[Black "Keres"]
[Result "1-0"]
[PlyCount "81"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 c6 5. e3 Nbd7 6. cxd5 exd5 { The openin g is an Exchange Queen's Gambit Declined where White's main strategy is the minority attack on the queenside. While Black chances are on using the half open e-file to start a kingside attack. } 7. Bd3 Be7 8. Nf3 O-O 9. Qc2 Re8 10. O-O Nf8 11. Rab1 { White prepares to play pawn b4, b5 thus attacking Black's queenside pawns where White has only two pawns hence the term minority attack. } 11... Ng6 { 11...a5 would not stop White's intentions after 12.a3 Ng6 13.b4 axb4 14.axb4 with pawn b5 to follow. } 12. b4 Bd6 { This is not the most accurate move. 12...a6 13.a4 Ne4 exchanging a few pieces, offered better chances. } 13. b5 Bd7 14. bxc6 Bxc6 { This move is definetly a mistake as Black's light squared bishop is tied to the defense of the isolated d-pawn. 14. ..bxc6 when White would still have to prove the weakness of Black's queenside pawns. } 15. Qb3 Be7 16. Bxf6 { White removes an important defender of Black's isolated d-pawn. } 16... Bxf6 17. Bb5 Qd6 18. Rfc1 { White stands much better due to his pressure on Black's queenside while Black's kingside play have never gotten off the ground. } 18... h5 19. Ne2 h4 20. Bxc6 bxc6 21. Qa4 { White has saddled Black with a new weakness the backward c-pawn. } 21... Ne7 22. Rb7 { All of White's activity can be traced back to his minority attack. } 22... a5 23. h3 { Before proceeding with his queenside play White safeguards his king. } 23... Reb8 24. Rcb1 Rxb7 25. Rxb7 { White's better pawn structure and active pieces give him a winning advantage. } 25... c5 26. Rb5 cxd4 { 26...c4 27.Rxa5 Rc8 28.Nc3 would leave White a healthy pawn up with Black's c-pawn safely blockaded. } 27. Nexd4 Rc8 28. Nb3 Bc3 29. Qxh4 { White's straightforward plans have netted him a pawn. } 29... Rc4 30. g4 { 30.Qg3 Qxg3 31.fxg3 Ra4 would give Black play against White's a-pawn. } 30... a4 31. Nbd4 Bxd4 32. Nxd4 Qe5 { 32...Nc6 33.Nxc6 Rxc6 34.Ra5 Qd7 35. Qg5 leaves White a pawn ahead with more on the way. } 33. Nf3 Qd6 { Black has to watch his back rank otherwise White will get in Rb8+. } 34. Ra5 Rc8 35. Rxa4 { After this loss of a second pawn Black could safely resign. } 35... Ng6 36. Qh5 Qf6 37. Qf5 Qc6 38. Ra7 Rf8 39. Rd7 d4 40. Rxd4 Ra8 41. a4 { Black resigned as he is three pawns down. } 1-0
[Event "Riga"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1949.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Tal"]
[Black "Strelkov"]
[Result "1-0"]
[PlyCount "31"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nd7 5. Nf3 Ngf6 6. Ng3 { Black is somewhat cramped, so White avoids exchanges. } 6... c5 7. c3 cxd4 8. Nxd4 a6 { Black doesn't want to allow a knight into b5, but this loses time. He should have played simply 8...Be7 and castled. } 9. Bd3 Nc5 10. Bc2 e5 { This gets Black into trouble, as he will only be able to kick White's knight out of f5 by ...g6, which will leave his kingside very weak. } 11. Qe2 Bd6 12. Ndf5 O-O 13. Bg5 { This pin is quite unpleasant. Black can only get out of the pin by letting White rip open his king position, while White can quietly prepare to mate by moves like Nh5, Nxf6+ and Qh5. Black must try to break the pin by Ne6. } 13... Bc7 14. Rd1 { This fine move gives Black an unhappy choice: give up his queen or block his queen bishop's diagonal. Black chooses the latter, allowing White's queen to join the attack. } 14... Ncd7 15. Nh5 { The pin on the d-file makes the pin on the d8-h4 diagonal stronger, as now Black has no way to strengthen the defense of f6. } 15... Bb6 16. Bxf6 { Black must lose his queen or be mated in a few moves. If you don't see how strong White's attack is, playing this with Gambit will confirm it for you. White Won } 1-0
[Event "Budapest-Moscow"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1949.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Smyslov"]
[Black "Florian"]
[Result "1-0"]
[PlyCount "49"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Qb3 { This early queen move is justified because it places direct pressure on the center. Even though the queen often travels a bit in this opening, White is usually rewarded by complete control of the center. } 5... dxc4 6. Qxc4 O-O 7. e4 { This is a very strong center and Black has to work very hard to achieve counterplay. This opening figured prominently in some of the World Championship matches between Karpov and Kasparov. } 7... Na6 8. Be2 c5 9. d5 e6 { Black begins the assault on the White center. } 10. O-O exd5 11. exd5 Qa5 { This move is a mistake as the queen has no future on the a5-e1 diagonal. 11... Bf5 Controlling key central squares is more in the spirit of the opening. For example 12.a3 takes b4 away from the Black knight. 12...Re8 13.Rd1 Ne4 14.Be3 Nd6 when White's d-pawn is firmly blockaded. } 12. a3 Bf5 13. Qh4 { With the idea of playing Bh6 thus removing an important Black defender the dark squared bishop. } 13... Rfe8 14. Bh6 Ne4 15. Bxg7 Kxg7 16. Ng5 Nxc3 { This is a mis take as Black removes yet another piece from the protection of his king. Better was 16...Nxg5. 16...Nxg5 17.Qxg5 Qd8 White stands a little better due to Black's knight languishing in exile on a6. } 17. Qxh7+ Kf6 18. bxc3 Kxg5 { White has sacrificed a piece and the king hunt begins. 18...Rxe2 19.f4 The Black king is caught in a mating net after 19...Qc7 20.d6 Qd7 21.Rae1 Rxe1 22.Rxe1 Re8 23.Re7 Rxe7 24.Qh8+ } 19. Qg7 { This quiet move takes away the Black king's retreat squares. } 19... Re4 { 19...Rxe2 20.f4+ Kg4 21.h3+ Kh4 when White has a forced mate in two. } 20. f4+ Rxf4 21. Rxf4 Kxf4 22. Rf1+ Ke3 { The Black king must walk up into White's welcoming army. 22...Ke4 23.Bc4 With a winning attack for White. If you don't see how try defending the Black position against Gambit. } 23. Qe5+ Kd2 24. Bc4 Qxc3 25. Rf2+ { Black resigned as after he moves his king out of check White simply takes off the Black queen. } 1-0
[Event "Leningrad"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1949.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Spassky"]
[Black "Aftonov"]
[Result "1-0"]
[PlyCount "41"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 c5 5. Bxc4 e6 6. O-O a6 7. Qe2 b5 8. Bb3 Nc6 9. Nc3 cxd4 { This is a positional mistake, because the isolated pawn which it creates will be able to quickly satisfy its lust to expand. Better was 9...c4. } 10. Rd1 Bb7 11. exd4 Nb4 { Black is obeying a classical principle of establishing a blockade in front of the isolated pawn. But thanks to the pin on the e- file, White has a resource. } 12. d5 Nbxd5 13. Bg5 { Black's position is a virtual pin-cushion (Bg5 on Nf6, Qe2 on Pe6, and Rd1 on Nd5). The simple threat is 14.Nxd5 Bxd5 15.Bxd5, since 15...Qxd5 loses to 16. Rxd5. } 13... Be7 14. Bxf6 gxf6 { 14...Bxf6 15.Nxd5 Bxd5 16.Bxd5 Qxd5 17.Rxd5 } 15. Nxd5 Bxd5 { 15...exd5 16.Nd4 would have also led to a crushing position for White. } 16. Bxd5 exd5 17. Nd4 { This position can already be considered winning, because of the weakness of Black's pawn structure and the strong position of the Nd4. The simple threat is Rd1-e1 and Nd4-c6. } 17... Kf8 18. Nf5 h5 { Otherwise Whit e would have delivered a nasty check at h6. Now the overworked Black queen is deftly exploited to bring a rapid conclusion to the game. } 19. Rxd5 Qxd5 20. Qxe7+ Kg8 21. Qxf6 1-0
[Event "Soviet Junior Championship"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1950.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Tal"]
[Black "Miglan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[PlyCount "41"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Nxe4 6. d4 b5 7. Bb3 d5 8. dxe5 Be6 9. c3 { This is the normal move against the Open Variation of the Spanish Game. Even at the tender age of 14 Tal knew his opening theory well! } 9... Bc5 10. Nbd2 Nxd2 { This knight is making a few too many moves in the opening. } 11. Qxd2 Na5 12. Bc2 Nc4 13. Qd1 { More knight moves. But this steed will be chased from the White camp on the next move. } 13... O-O 14. b3 Nb6 15. Ng5 { The Black kingside has no defenders, and White's forces are trained on the vulnerable targets surrounding the king. } 15... h6 { 15...g6 creates major holes at f6, h6 and g7. } 16. Qd3 { A crude but effective threat at h7. } 16... Re8 { Black makes room to run. } 17. Qh7+ Kf8 18. Nxe6+ Rxe6 { 18...fxe6 19.Bg6 Re7 20.Qh8++ } 19. b4 { Tal has his eyes on the entire board. The bishop cannot move to e7 because of Qh8 mate, so this move wins a piece. } 19... Bxb4 20. cxb4 Rxe5 21. Bxh6 { Black resigned, since 21...gxh6 allows 22.Qh8+ with a fork on the rook at e5 and the king. } 1-0
[Event "Soviet Championship"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1950.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Petrosian"]
[Black "Tolush"]
[Result "1-0"]
[PlyCount "37"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 d5 4. d4 c6 5. cxd5 exd5 6. Qc2 Bd6 7. Bg5 { The White bishop pins the knight. } 7... O-O 8. e3 Bg4 9. Ne5 { The White knight takes up a powerful post in the center. While, at the same time threatening to win a piece. } 9... Bh5 10. f4 { 10. f4 is a multipurpose move which reinforces the White knight and gains space on the king side. } 10... Qa5 11. Bd3 { 11. Bxf6 gxf6 ,doubling the Black f-pawns, is also playable. However, 11.Bd3 developing another piece into the kingside attack is better. White is now threatening to win a pawn. } 11... h6 12. Bxf6 { 12. Bxf6 breaks open the Black's king position. } 12... gxf6 13. g4 { 13.g4 is a beautiful way to continue the kingside attack. Although, at a first glance it appears that White has forgotten about his knight. } 13... fxe5 14. fxe5 Be7 15. O-O-O Bg5 { 15...Bg6 16.Bxg6 fxg6 17.Qxg6+ Kh8 18.Qxh6+ Kg8 19.Qe6+ Rf7 20.Rhf1 would win the Black rook. } 16. gxh5 Kh8 17. Qf2 f5 18. h4 Be7 19. Qf4 { Faced with a mating attack Black resigned. } 1-0
[Event "Riga"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1951.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Tal"]
[Black "Zeid"]
[Result "1-0"]
[PlyCount "57"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 { This leads to a temporary pawn sacrifice, for which White will be able to build an ideal pawn center. } 3... dxc4 4. e4 e5 { Black counters by putting immediate pressure at d4. } 5. Nf3 { 5.dxe5 Qxd1+ 6.Nxd1 b5 Black has an acceptable position. } 5... exd4 6. Qxd4 Qxd4 7. Nxd4 Bc5 8. Be3 { White has a lead in development and a kingside pawn majority, while Black has an extra pawn, but it sits very weakly at c4. } 8... Nf6 9. f3 { There is no rush to recapture at c4, because the pawn cannot be defended. } 9... Nbd7 { 9...b5 10.a4 a6 11.axb5 cxb5 12.Ncxb5 } 10. Bxc4 Ne5 11. Be2 Bd7 12. h3 { White wants to play f4 without allowing the Black knight to go to g4. } 12... O-O 13. f4 Ng6 14. e5 Nd5 15. Nxd5 cxd5 { Black now has a concrete weakness. } 16. O-O f6 { An attempt to undermine the center. But now White employs a decoy tactic to lure the bishop to an unfortunate position. } 17. e6 Bxe6 18. f5 { This fork wins material. } 18... Bxf5 19. Nxf5 Bxe3+ 20. Nxe3 Rfe8 21. Kf2 { White defends both pieces and Black's two pawns are not sufficient compensation for the bishop. } 21... Nf4 { 21...d4 22.Bc4+ Kh8 23.Nf5 } 22. Rad1 Nxe2 23. Kxe2 Rad8 { The threat is 23...d4, recovering the piece. } 24. Rd4 Re5 25. Rfd1 Rde8 26. R1d3 f5 27. Kf3 { Breaking the pin and creating an easily winning position. } 27... Re4 28. Nxd5 Re1 29. Re3 1-0
[Event "Riga"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1952.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Tal"]
[Black "Lozov"]
[Result "1-0"]
[PlyCount "45"]

1. c4 e6 2. Nf3 d5 3. d4 Nf6 4. g3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O b6 7. Nc3 Bb7 { We have transposed into a variation of the Queen's Indian Defense which is not considered good for Black since the pawn at d5 blocks the bishop at b7. } 8. Ne5 { A typical idea in such positions. The pawn at d5 is now pinned by the bishop at g2, and the knight at e5 controls many key squares. } 8... Qc8 { This breaks the pin and threatens the capture of the pawn at c4. } 9. cxd5 Nxd5 10. Nxd5 Bxd5 11. e4 { Now White has established the ideal pawn center. This gives his pieces a great deal of flexibility, and plenty of space in which to maneuver. } 11... Bb7 12. Qc2 c5 { Black tries to undermine White's central formation. } 13. d5 Rd8 { Black is putting a lot of pressure at d5, but with his next move Tal turns the tables by establishing a strong pin on the pawn at e6. } 14. Bh3 Qc7 15. Bf4 { Black broke one pin, but now White threatens a discovered attack when the knight moves. } 15... Bd6 { The immediate threat is eliminated. But the powerful White center now lunges forward, assisted by a sacrifice, and we see that control of the center allows the White queen to get to the kingside quickly. } 16. Nxf7 Kxf7 17. Bxe6+ Ke8 18. e5 { The bishop is attacked, but so is the pawn at h7. } 18... Bf8 19. Qxh7 Rxd5 { 19...Bxd5 20.Qg6+ Ke7 21.Bg5++ } 20. Qg6+ Kd8 21. Bg5+ Be7 22. Qf7 { The threat is 23.Qf8 mate. } 22... Nd7 23. Qg8+ 1-0