Chess Wholegame
64 Great Chess Games 26
I have come across various sets of notes, some of which are inaccurate or misleading. This was, in fact, the last game Simagin annotated for publication, appearing in Chess in the USSR in December 1968, by which time the talented grandmaster had already passed away.
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64 Great Chess Games 24
Everyone admires a queen sacrifice, and the game that came to be known as "The Swedish Immortal Correspondence Game" gained significant attention when it was first published. It was even included in Werner Heinrich's book Freude Am Fernschach as an example of the triumph of the spirit over material. The position just before the final move, where Black has two queens and White has none, is likely unprecedented outside the realm of chess composition. White intentionally allows their queen to be trapped on the queenside, drawing the defenders’ attention away while the remaining pieces launch a breakthrough on the kingside. Although Black could have defended more effectively at a certain point, this does not diminish the originality of White's winning attack.
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64 Great Chess Games 4
Thematic events, in which players agree to play a particular opening, have long been a popular aspect of correspondence chess. In this case, Chigorin challenged Steinitz to defend his published views on two controversial variations; in each instance, the Russian gambited a pawn. Steinitz played Black in an Evans Gambit and White in the present game, where the world champion followed a recommendation from his 1889 book The Modern Chess Instructor.As an experienced correspondence player in Russian events and a meticulous analyst of complex positions, Chigorin was well-suited for this contest against his great rival, ultimately winning 2-0. The match took place from October 13, 1890, to April 28, 1891, and generated tremendous worldwide interest. It was unusual for a correspondence chess event as it was played by professionals for money, with the winner receiving US$750.Both games were annotated by Steinitz in serial form during the match. His optimistic comments seem ironic in light of his eventual crushing defeat. Throughout the match, relying solely on Steinitz's commentary offers a misleading perspective on the events. For a Russian viewpoint, I studied the detailed analysis of the games in Shakhmatny Bulletin 2/1958 (edited by Romanov).
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Liquidating to an Endgame
Liquidating to an endgame in chess involves strategically exchanging pieces to transition into a simpler, often more favorable, endgame position. This tactic aims to reduce complexity and leverage advantages such as material superiority, better pawn structure, or more active king and pieces. The objective is to enhance winning chances or secure a draw by simplifying the position in a way that maximizes one's strengths and minimizes potential counterplay from the opponent. Accurate evaluation and calculation are crucial to ensure the resulting endgame is advantageous.
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Two bishops 2
Despite White's possession of the two bishops, it's Black who maintains pressure on the board, leveraging their active pieces and superior influence over the central squares. This strategic advantage for Black stems from their ability to control key areas of the board, limiting White's options and forcing them into defensive positions. Furthermore, White's queen finds itself in a precarious situation, lacking optimal squares for effective deployment, which further complicates White's task of finding counterplay. Thus, despite the apparent material advantage, White faces significant challenges in navigating the complexities of the position.
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Playing with an Extra Pawn
Navigating positions with an additional pawn presents a complex puzzle, as it demands astute judgment to discern when to hold onto the surplus material and when to sacrifice it for strategic gains. Each scenario requires a delicate balance: sometimes, preserving the pawn can solidify an advantageous position, while in other instances, sacrificing it can pave the way for a dynamic initiative. Even seasoned grandmasters find themselves grappling with these nuanced decisions. Therefore, cultivating a comprehensive understanding of both possibilities and fostering a flexible approach is paramount for success in such situations.
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Piece for Three Pawns 2
This position, resulting from a Sicilian piece sacrifice, is more advantageous for Black compared to the previous example. Firstly, the exchange of queens alleviates concerns for Black's king safety. Secondly, Black maintains an intact kingside pawn structure, while White needs to be wary of the slight weakness of the e4-pawn. Ideally, White would prefer the f-pawn on f3 to bolster the center and limit Black's counterplay options. However, the potential of White's three connected queenside pawns, despite their current placement on the second rank, should not be underestimated. Overall, the position is roughly balanced.
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Advantage of the exchange 2
In this particular game, the situation is more complex. Black has sacrificed material, exchanging a pawn for a more valuable piece, which adds layers of strategic depth. Furthermore, White's bishop is hemmed in by its own pawns, severely limiting its mobility and control over crucial dark squares on the board. Additionally, there's no immediate opportunity for White to open up files for their rooks, further complicating their position. Objectively speaking, the balance of power between the two sides is even.
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The Need to Act-Sicilian Defence
For this game, the reason for Anand's victory is quite evident. His solid pawn structure and strategically placed pieces enabled him to orchestrate a methodical advancement on the queenside, while Black lacked any meaningful counterplay. This advancement created a potent initiative, eventually resulting in a material advantage. The transformative process prevailed, with Black's seemingly solid position gradually deteriorating under pressure. Despite its initial firmness, Black's position lost its flexibility and ability to react effectively. Ultimately, Black found themselves suffocated by the relentless pressure exerted by Anand.
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Wing play met by counterplay on the other wing 7
As White eventually responded by initiating an assault with their h-pawn, Kobaliya's bold push on the opposite flank became vulnerable. White's decisive move came relatively late in the match, demonstrating patience that ultimately yielded results. This instance underscores a key principle we frequently stress in our analysis: the significance of timing in chess. Acting swiftly often leads to favorable outcomes.
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