1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 Bc5 5. O-O O-O 6. Nxe5 Re8

6... Nxe5 7. d4

7. Nxc6

7. Nf3! Nxe4 8. d4 Nxc3 9. bxc3 Bf8 10. d5 Ne5 11. Nxe5 Rxe5 12. Bd3

7... dxc6 8. Bc4 b5

8... Nxe4? 9. Bxf7+! Kxf7 10. Nxe4

9. Be2

9. Bb3 Bg4 10. Qe1 b4

9... Nxe4 10. Nxe4

10. Bf3?? Nxf2 11. Rxf2 Qd4 12. Ne4 (12. Qf1 Qxf2+ 13. Qxf2 Re1#) 12... Rxe4 13. Bxe4 Qxf2+ 14. Kh1 Bg4 15. Bf3 Re8 and mate in 4

10... Rxe4 11. Bf3 Re6 12. c3

12. d3

12... Qd3 13. b4

slightly better is 13. Re1 Rxe1+ 14. Qxe1 Bd7 15. Qf1=

13... Bb6 14. a4?

14. Re1

14... bxa4 15. Qxa4

the queen is here not participating in the defense of the king

15... Bd7

15... Bb7 16. Ra2 Rae8 17. Qd1 Ba6!

16. Ra2?

16. Qa6 Qxa6 (16... Qf5 17. d4 Rae8 18. Be3) 17. Rxa6 Rae8 18. Bg4 Bc8 19. Ra1 Rf6=

16... Rae8 17. Qa6

17. Qd1 c5 Bd7-b5

17... Qxf3! 18. gxf3 Rg6+ 19. Kh1 Bh3

20...Bg2 21.Kg1 Bf3 mate

20. Rd1

20. Qd3 f5! 21. Qc4+ (21. Rd1 Bg2+ 22. Kg1 Bxf3+ 23. Kf1 Bxd1) 21... Kf8 22. Rd1 Bg2+

20. Rg1 Rxg1+ 21. Kxg1 Re1+ 22. Qf1 Rxf1#

20... Bg2+ 21. Kg1 Bxf3+ 22. Kf1 Bg2+

22... Rg2! 23. Qd3 Rxf2+ 24. Kg1 Rg2+ 25. Kh1 Rg1#

23. Kg1 Bh3+

23... Be4+ 24. Kf1 Bf5! 25. Qe2 Bh3+ 26. Ke1 Rg1#

24. Kh1 Bxf2 25. Qf1 Bxf1 26. Rxf1 Re2 27. Ra1 Rh6 28. d4 Be3 0-1 [Ron]

The chess tournament organised by the Dutch radio company AVRO was the most representative gathering of all of the strongest chess players of the time. Mikhail Botvinnik was only third (!) in this magnificent event, but his two superbly victories over Aljechin and Capablanca gave a serious foundation to his claim to the world title - a dream he eventually fulfilled ten years later. The game described below belongs to the golden chess stock. It proves that Botvinnik"s strategical vision was already superior to the greatest genius of the old guard.

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 d5 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 c5 7. cxd5 exd5

Today we all know that due to Black"s premature definition of the pawn structure in the centre White has the better opportunities to gain the initiative. But in those days both opponents were wandering in "terra incognita" - the routes that were to develop in the Nimzo-Indian Defence were just being formed.

8. Bd3 O-O 9. Ne2 b6 10. O-O Ba6

By all chess standards that dominated the minds of the chess players in the 20s and 30s Black has absolutely nothing to complain about. Good pawn structure, easy development, no weaknesses. White isn"t even threatening any immediate action. However, Botvinnik felt correctly that a possibility of a central advance e3-e4-e5 (after the preparatory f3) could lead to a violent attack on the kingside. Hard to believe? Well, at least you are thinking on the same lines as the great Cuban champion.

In the game Kasparov-Ivanovich, 1983, after 10... Re8 11. f3 Ba6 12. Ng3 Bxd3 13. Qxd3 Nc6 14. Bb2 c4 15. Qd2 Qd7 16. Rae1 White has finish ed mobilizing quickly and effectively. That is how, step by step, through constant practical testing, we are improving old plans. But the most valuable contribution, of course, is to invent a soundlong-termstrategy!

11. Bxa6

Subsequent experience has shown that one should prefer 11. f3 immediately working on the critical break in the centre. The White queen has to go to d3 anyway, and the black knight doesn"t get a new option.

11... Nxa6 12. Bb2?

Pioneers are doomed to making mistakes. The wrong move order always damages a deep strategical plan.

12. Qd3 was necessary.

12... Qd7 13. a4

Forced. Now

13. Qd3 was not good because of 13... Qa4! sealing White"s queenside.

13... Rfe8?

Capablanca misses the moment to seize the initiative

13... cxd4 14. cxd4 Rfc8 followed by Tc4 und Tac8. 15... Rc4 16... Rac8 and White has to forget about active plans in the centre and switch to defensive lines instead.

14. Qd3 c4?

This serious positional mistake has a clear historical background. The 50-year-old Capablanca in his long chess career never dealt with hidden dynamic factors. His unique intuition and rich experience didn"t send any danger signals here. Instead he counted on using his opponent"s light squares with the long manoeuvre Na6-b8-c6-a5-b3. Capablanca simply underestimated the explosive power of White"s position.

15. Qc2 Nb8 16. Rae1 Nc6 17. Ng3 Na5

If Falls 17... Ne4 then 18. Nh1! and White"s plan works out anyway, e.g. 18... f5 19. f3 Nd6 20. Ba3 g6 21. Ng3 and after the inevitable e3-e4 the weakened position of the Black king is a source of permanent trouble.

18. f3 Nb3

Both sides are quite persistent. The a4-pawn is lost, but the long-awaited central advance is also ready.

19. e4 Qxa4

This miserable pawn has played an important role as bait for the tiger!

20. e5 Nd7 21. Qf2

Otherwise the isolated knight is able to come back into the game extremely effectively after Nb3-c5! Now Black has to take his opponent"s threats more seriously - the white knight is heading for f5 and d6, and the advancing f-pawn could be a battering ram that will crack open the black castle. But Capablanca cannot be frightened by these shadows on the horizon. The stubborn proponent of economy was famous for an astonishing ability to defend his king with a minimum of resources while his main army was gaining advantage elsewhere.

21... g6 22. f4 f5

Forcing the opening of the e-file and an exchange of rooks.

23. exf6 Nxf6 24. f5

Getting closer to the black king.

24... Rxe1 25. Rxe1 Re8

Using a tactical trick to protect the knight on f6: 26.fxg6... (variation). Capablanca was reducing White"s attacking potential, however, from now on he had no choice but to join the club of chess masterpieces. Unfortunately he was sitting on the wrong side of the board! In case of

25... Rf8 26. Qf4 White"s attack is also unstoppable, e.g. 26... Qa2 27. fxg6! Qxb2 (27... hxg6 28. Qg5) 28. g7! Kxg7 29. Nf5+ Kh8 30. Qd6 Rf7 (30... Kg8 31. Qg3+) 31. Qxf6+ mating.

26. Re6!

26. fxg6 hxg6 27. Rxe8+ Nxe8

26... Rxe6

Now instead of being consumed in the flame of the attack the modes f-pawn is making a dream career. The appearance of this powerful ally for the white queen was impossible to avoid:

26... Kg7 27. Rxf6! Kxf6 28. fxg6+ Kxg6 (28... Ke7 29. Qf7+ Kd8 30. g7) 29. Qf5+ Kg7 30. Nh5+ Kh6 31. h4! Rg8 32. g4 Qc6 33. Ba3! with mate to follow.

27. fxe6 Kg7 28. Qf4 Qe8

The queen must return

28... Qa2? 29. Nf5+ with mate in five. 29... gxf5 30. Qg5+ etc.

29. Qe5 Qe7

# Attack and defence have reached a faltering parity, each side needs reserves to decide an epic battle in its favour. The question is whose minor piece from the forgotten flank is faster? Black"s knight is going to use the same route Ncb3-a5-c6, but what about the sleepingwhitebishop?

30. Ba3!!

If the first move of the bishop, 12. Bb2?, was a just bad joke, then the second little step from b2 to a3 has created a drama! The kamikaze act forces the black queen to leave her king again, this time not voluntarily, and to unblock the ambitious pawn which is running for the biggest prize.

30... Qxa3 31. Nh5+! gxh5 32. Qg5+ Kf8 33. Qxf6+ Kg8 34. e7

34. Qf7+ Kh8 35. g3! with the white king escaping to h3 was also enough, but hurrying e7 could spoil everything:(35. e7? Qc1+ 36. Kf2 Qd2+ 37. Kg3 Qg5+ 38. Kf3 Nxd4+! 39. cxd4 Qg4+ with perpetual check. )

34... Qc1+ 35. Kf2 Qc2+ 36. Kg3 Qd3+ 37. Kh4 Qe4+ 38. Kxh5 Qe2+

The queens" exchange doesn"t help:

38... Qg6+ 39. Qxg6+ hxg6+ 40. Kxg6 and now the pawn promotes to queen (or rook!) with mate.

39. Kh4 Qe4+ 40. g4

The sad knight on b3 is left as a silent reproach for Black"s stragegical miscalculation in the early middlegame.

40... Qe1+ 41. Kh5

and Capablan ca"s resignation, in my opinion, symbolized the end of an heroic era of chess titans, dominating the field with their natural genius. Since this historic moment the professional touch has played a more and more important role as an integral part of chess, the path to ultimate success.

1-0 [Kasparov]

This games was used in the film 2001: A Space Odyssey

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. Qe2 b5 6. Bb3 Be7 7. c3 O-O 8. O-O d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Nxe5 Nf4 11. Qe4 Nxe5 12. Qxa8 Qd3 13. Bd1 Bh3 14. Qxa6 Bxg2 15. Re1 Qf3 0-1

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. d4 O-O 5. Bf4 d5 6. Qb3

6. e3

6. Rc1!?

6... dxc4 7. Qxc4 c6 8. e4 Nbd7

8... Bg4 9. Be2 Nfd7 10. Rd1 Bxf3 11. Bxf3 e5 12. dxe5 Bxe5 13. Bxe5 Nxe5 14. Rxd8 Nxc4 15. Rxf8+ Kxf8 16. Be2! Nb6 (16... Nxb2 17. Kd2 b5 18. Rb1 Nc4+ 19. Bxc4 bxc4 20. Rb4) 17. Kd2 Dydyshko,V-Dorfman,J/Minsk/1986/1:0/57/

8... b5! 9. Qb3 Qa5 b4/ 10. Bd3 Be6 11. Qd1 c5!?

9. Rd1 Nb6 10. Qc5 Bg4 11. Bg5?

11. Be2 Nfd7 12. Qa3 Bxf3 13. Bxf3 e5 14. dxe5 Qe8 15. Be2 Nxe5 16. O-O Flear,G-Morris,P/Dublin/1991/1:0/46/

11... Na4!! 12. Qa3

12. Nxa4 Nxe4 13. Qc1 (13. Qxe7 Qa5+ 14. b4 Qxa4 15. Qxe4 Rfe8 16. Be7 Bxf3 17. gxf3 Bf8) 13... Qa5+ 14. Nc3 Bxf3 15. gxf3 Nxg5

12... Nxc3 13. bxc3 Nxe4 14. Bxe7 Qb6

/

15. Bc4

15. Bxf8 Bxf8 16. Qb3 Nxc3!

15... Nxc3! 16. Bc5

16. Qxc3 Rfe8 17. Bxf7+ (17. Qe3 Qc7) 17... Kxf7 18. Ng5+ Kxe7 19. O-O Bxd1 20. Rxd1 Qb5

16... Rfe8+ 17. Kf1 Be6!!

17... Nb5? 18. Bxf7+! Kxf7 (18... Kh8 19. Bxb6 Nxa3 20. Bxe8) 19. Qb3+ Be6 20. Ng5+

18. Bxb6

18. Bxe6 Qb5+ 19. Kg1 Ne2+ 20. Kf1 Ng3+ 21. Kg1 Qf1+! 22. Rxf1 Ne2#

18. Qxc3 Qxc5! 19. dxc5 Bxc3 20. Bxe6 Rxe6

18. Bd3 Nb5

18... Bxc4+ 19. Kg1 Ne2+ 20. Kf1 Nxd4+ 21. Kg1

21. Rd3 axb6 22. Qc3 Nxf3

21... Ne2+ 22. Kf1 Nc3+ 23. Kg1 axb6 24. Qb4 Ra4 25. Qxb6 Nxd1 26. h3 Rxa2 27. Kh2 Nxf2 28. Re1 Rxe1 29. Qd8+ Bf8 30. Nxe1 Bd5 31. Nf3 Ne4 32. Qb8 b5 33. h4 h5 34. Ne5 Kg7 35. Kg1 Bc5+ 36. Kf1 Ng3+ 37. Ke1 Bb4+

37... Bb3!?

38. Kd1 Bb3+ 39. Kc1 Ne2+ 40. Kb1 Nc3+ 41. Kc1 Rc2#

mate

0-1 [Shipov]

1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Bc4 Qh4+ 4. Kf1 b5 5. Bxb5 Nf6 6. Nf3 Qh6

6... Qh5 7. Nc3 Bb7 8. e5 (8. Bc4 "!" Y.B. Estrin 8... Nxe4 (8... Bb4 9. d3 Bxc3 10. bxc3 g5 11. h4) 9. Nxe4! d5 10. Bb5+ c6 11. Nc3!) 8... Nd5 (8... Bxf3 9. Qxf3 Qxf3+ 10. gxf3 Nh5 11. d4 c6 12. Bd3 d5 13. Ne2 g5 14. h4 h6 15. hxg5 hxg5 16. Bf5) (8... Ng4 9. d4 Ne3+ (9... g5 10. h4) 10. Bxe3 fxe3 11. Qe2) (8... Ne4 9. Nxe4 Bxe4 10. d3 Bxf3 11. Qxf3 Qxf3+ 12. gxf3 g5 13. h4) 9. Ne4 10.Qe2

7. d3

(?)

7. Nc3 Bb7 (7... g5 8. d4 Bg7 9. e5 Nh5 Raphael-Morphy (New York 1857), 10.Kg1? 10. Ne4 g4 11. Nh4 Qb6 12. Be2) 8. Qe2 (8. d4 Nxe4 9. Qe2 Qe6 10. Nxe4 Qxe4 11. Bxf4 Qxe2+ 12. Kxe2 c6 13...Be7) 8... Bb4 9. e5 Nh5 10. Rg1 O-O 11. d4 Qb6

7... Nh5

(?)

7... Bc5 8. d4 Bb6 9. Nc3 Bb7 Anderssen-Pollmächer (1852) 10. Bd3 (10. e5 Ne4 (10... Nh5 11. Ne2 Bxf3 (11... g5 12. Qd3 13.g4) 12. gxf3) (10... Nd5? 11. Nxd5 Bxd5 12. c4 13.c5) 11. Nxe4 Bxe4 12. h4 13.Ng5) 10... g5 11. h4 Rg8

8. Nh4?

8. Rg1 9.g4 8... Qb6 9. Nc3 c6 10. Bc4 Qc5 11. Qe2 Ba6 12. Bxa6 Nxa6 13. d4 Qa5 14. Ne5 g6 15. Nc4 Qc7 16. e5

8. Ke2?! Qb6 9. Nc3 c6 10. Bc4 Ba6

8... Qg5

8... g6 9. g3 (9. g4 Nf6 10. Ng2 Qh3 11. Bxf4 Nxg4 Estrin, Glaskov) 9... Be7 Estrin, Glaskov 10. Qg4 c6 (10... Kd8 11. Ng2 d6 12. Qf3) 11. Bc4 Bxh4 (11... Na6 12. Bxa6 Bxa6 13. Nc3 14.gxf4) (11... O-O 12. Nf5 Qg5 13. Qxg5 Bxg5 14. Nd6) (11... Kd8 12. Bd2 Kc7 (12... d5 13. Ba5+) 13. gxf4 d5 14. f5) 12. Qxh4 d5 (12... g5 13. Qh3 14.g4) 13. Bxf4 Qg7 14. Bd6 g5 15. Qxh5 Qxb2 (15... dxc4 16. e5) 16. Qxg5

9. Nf5 c6

(?)

9... g6 10. h4 (10. g4? gxf5 11. gxh5 fxe4) 10... Qf6 (von Gottschall)(10... Ng3+ 11. Nxg3 (11. Ke1 Qf6 12. Nxg3 fxg3 13. Qe2 "mit starkem Spiel für Weiß" (von Gottschall)(13. Qf3 (Steinitz)) ) 11... Qxb5 (11... Qxg3 12. Rh3) 12. Nc3 (Polhroniade) 12... Qe5 13. Nge2 Bh6 14. g3 f3 15. Nf4) 11. Nc3 c6 12. Ba4 (12. Bc4 d5) 12... Na6 13...Sc5 14.Bb3 d6(12... d6 13. Nd5) 13. d4 Ng3+ 14. Nxg3 fxg3+ 15. Qf3 Qxd4

10. g4?

10. h4? Qg6 11. Ba4 d5

10. Bc4? d5

10. Ba4 g6 (10... d5 11. g4 dxe4 12. dxe4 Ba6+ 13. Kg2 Nf6 14. Qf3) 11. Ng3 Nxg3+ 12. hxg3 Qxg3 13. Nc3 Bc5 14. Qe1 (14. d4? Ba6+) (14. Qf3? Qxf3+ 15. gxf3 g5 16. Rh5 Be7) 14... Qxe1+ (14... Qg4 15. Rh4) 15. Kxe1 g5 16. Rh5 Be7 17. g3 fxg3 18. Bxg5 Rg8 19. Bxe7 g2 20. Kf2

10... Nf6

(?)

10... g6 11. Nd4 (11. gxh5 gxf5 12. h4 Qf6 13. Bc4 fxe4 14. dxe4 Rg8) 11... Bg7 12. c3 Bxd4 13. cxd4 Qxb5 14. Nc3 (14. gxh5 Ba6) 14... Qb6 15. gxh5 Qxd4 16. Qf3 (16. Bxf4 Qf6) (16. Ne2 Qf6) 16... Ba6 17. Ke2 g5 18. Rd1 d6

11. Rg1 cxb5?

11... d5? 12. h4 Qg6 13. h5 (13. Bxf4?! h5) 13... Qg5 14. Qf3 Bxf5 15. exf5 cxb5 (15... Bd6 16. Ba4 O-O 17. Nc3 18.Ne2) 16. Bxf4 Qh4 17. Nc3 Bc5 18. Re1+ Kf8 (18... Qxe1+ 19. Kxe1 Bxg1 20. g5) 19. Nxd5

11... h5 12. h4 Qg6 13. g5 Ng4 14. Nc3 (14. Bxf4 d5) (14. Ba4 d5 15. Nd4 Bc5 16. c3 Bxd4 17. cxd4 dxe4 18. dxe4 Qxe4 19...Ba6+) 14... cxb5 15. Nd5 (15. Nxb5? Qb6) 15... Na6 (15... d6?! 16. Nd4) (15... Bd6?! 16. Nxf4 Bxf4 17. Bxf4) 16. Bxf4 Bb7 17. c4 Bxd5 18. cxd5 Qb6

12. h4

12. Qf3? h5

12... Qg6 13. h5 Qg5

13... Nxh5? 14. gxh5 Qf6 15. Nc3 Bb7 16. Bxf4 g6 17. Nxb5

14. Qf3 Ng8

14... Nxg4 Euwe 15. Rxg4 Qxh5 16. Bxf4 d5 (16... g6 17. Nd6+ Bxd6 18. Bxd6 Nc6 19. Qf6 Rg8 20. Nc3) 17. Nc3 Bxf5 (17... g6? 18. Nxd5 19.Nf6+) 18. exf5

15. Bxf4 Qf6

15... Qd8 Reti 16. Nc3 a6 (16... d6 17. Nxb5 Bxf5 18. exf5 Polihroniade) (16... g6 17. Nxb5 gxf5 18. Nc7+ Ke7 19. exf5 Polihroniade) 17. Bd6 Bb7 18. Nd5 Bxd5 19. exd5 Bxd6 20. Nxd6+ Ke7 21. Nxf7

16. Nc3 Bc5

16... Bb7 Reti 17. Qg3 (17. Nxb5 Qxb2 18. Nc7+ Kd8 19. Kg2 Na6 (19... Nc6 20. Rab1 Qxc2+ 21. Kh3 Rb8 22. Nd5) 20. Nxa8 Bxa8 21. Rab1 Qxc2+ 22. Kh3) 17... Na6 (17... Nc6 18. g5 19.Nxb5) 18. Nxb5 (18. Be5 Qb6) 18... Qxb2 19. Nfd6+ Bxd6 20. Nxd6+ Kf8 21. Be5 Qb6 22. Kg2 f6 23. Rgf1 23...Qc6 24.g5

17. Nd5

(?), 17.d4! 18.Nd5

17... Qxb2 18. Bd6?

18. d4 Qxa1+ (18... Bf8 19. Nc7+ Kd8 20. Re1) 19. Kg2 Qb2 20. dxc5 Na6 21. Nd6+ Kf8 22. Be5 Qxc2+ 23. Kh3 f6 24. Nxf6

18. Be3 d6 (18... Qxa1+ 19. Kg2 Qb2 (19... Qxg1+ 20. Bxg1 Bxg1 21. Nd6+) 20. Bxc5 Qxc2+ 21. Kh3 Qxc5 22. Rc1 d6 (22... Qxc1 23. Nd6+) 23. Rxc5 Bxf5 24. Qxf5 Polihroniade 24.Nc7+ 24... dxc5 25. Qc8#) 19. Bd4 (19. Re1 Bxf5 (19... Kd7 20. Bxc5 dxc5 21. Qg3) 20. exf5 Kd7 21. Bxc5 dxc5 22. Nc7) 19... Bxd4 20. Nxd6+ Kd8 (20... Kd7 21. Qxf7+ Kxd6 22. Qc7+ Ke6 23. Nf4+ Kf6 24. g5#) 21. Qxf7 Polihroniade

18. Re1 Bb7 (18... Na6 19. Bd6 Bb7 (19... Bxg1 20. e5) 20. Bxc5 Nxc5 21. Nd6+ Kd8 22. Nxf7+) 19. d4 (19. Nc7+ Polihroniade 19... Kd8 (19... Kf8 20. Bd6+ Bxd6 21. Nxd6 Qf6 22. Qxf6 Nxf6 23. Nxb7) 20. Nxa8 Na6 (20... Bxa8 21. Bxb8 Bxg1 22. Kxg1 Polihroniade) 21. Be3 Bxa8 22. Bxc5 Nxc5 23. Nd6 Nh6 24. g5)

18... Bxg1

18... Qxa1+ 19. Ke2 Qb2! 20. Kd2 (20. Rc1 Bb7 21. Bxc5 Bxd5) 20... Bxg1 (20... g6 21. Rb1 (21. Re1 Bb7 22. Bxc5 Bxd5 23. exd5+ Kd8 24. Bd4 (24. Nd6 Nh6 25. Qe3 Na6) 24... Qb4+ 25. Bc3 Qc5 26. Ne3) 21... gxf5 22. Rxb2 Bxd6 23. e5 Bxe5 24. Qe3 d6 25. d4 Kd8 (25... Bb7 26. Nc7+ Kd8 27. Nxa8 f4 (27... Bg7 28. Rxb5) 28. Qa3) 26. dxe5) 21. e5 Ba6! 22. Nc7+ (22. Nxg7+ Kd8 23. Qxf7 Kc8) 22... Kd8 23. Qxa8 (23. Nxa6 Bb6 24. Qxa8 Ba5+) 23... Bb6 24. Qxb8+ Bc8 25. Nd5 Ba5+ 26. Ke3 Qxc2 (26... Qc1+)

19. e5 Qxa1+

19... Ba6 20. Nc7+ Kd8 21. Nxa6 Qxa1+ (21... Bb6 22. Qxa8 Qxc2 23. Qxb8+) 22. Ke2

20. Ke2

1-0

20... Na6

20... f6 21. Nxg7+ Kf7 22. Nxf6 Bb7 (22... Kxg7 23. Ne8+ Kh6 24. Qf4#) 23. Nd5+ Kxg7 24. Qf8#

20... Bb7 21. Nxg7+ Kd8 22. Qxf7 Nh6 23. Ne6+

20... Ba6 21. Nc7+ (21. Nxg7+? Kd8 22. Qxf7 Nh6 23. Ne6+ Kc8) 21... Kd8 22. Nxa6 (22. Qxa8? Qc3 23. Qxb8+ Bc8 24. Nd5 Qxc2+) 22... Qxa2 (22... Qc3 Falkbeer 23. Bc7+ Qxc7 24. Nxc7 Kxc7 25. Qxa8 26.Nd6 25... Nc6 (25... Bc5 26. Nd6 Bxd6 27. exd6+ Kc8 28. Qxa7) 26. Nd6 Nxe5 27. Ne8+ (27. Qf8) 27... Kb6 28. Qb8+ 29.Qxe5 (Falkbeer)) (22... Bb6 23. Qxa8 Qc3 24. Qxb8+ Qc8 25. Qxc8+ Kxc8 26. Bf8 h6 27. Nd6+ (27. Bxg7 Rh7 28. Nb4 29.Nd5, 30.Nf6) 27... Kd8 28. Nxf7+ Ke8 29. Nxh8 Kxf8 30. Kf3 Tschigorin) 23. Bc7+ (23. Nb4 Nc6 24. Nxa2 g6 25. Nb4 gxf5 26. Nxc6+ dxc6 27. Qxc6 Rc8) 23... Ke8 24. Nb4 Nc6 25. Nxa2 Bc5 26. Qd5 Bf8 27. Qxb5 28.Qb7

21. Nxg7+ Kd8 22. Qf6+ Nxf6 23. Be7# 1-0 [Huebner,R]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Bg4? 4. dxe5 Bxf3 5. Qxf3 dxe5 6. Bc4 Nf6?

6... Qf6 7. Qb3 Nd7 8. Qxb7 Rb8 9. Qd5

7. Qb3 Qe7

7... Qd7?? 8. Qxb7 Qc6 9. Bb5

8. Nc3

best is 8. Qxb7 Qb4+ 9. Qxb4 Bxb4+ 10. Ke2

8. Bxf7+ Qxf7 9. Qxb7 Bc5! 10. Qc8+ Ke7 11. Qxh8 Bxf2+ 12. Ke2 Qc4+

8... c6 9. Bg5 b5??

9... Na6 10. Bxa6 bxa6 11. Qa4 Qb7

10. Nxb5! cxb5 11. Bxb5+ Nbd7

11... Kd8 12. O-O-O+

12. O-O-O Rd8 13. Rxd7! Rxd7 14. Rd1 Qe6 15. Bxd7+ Nxd7 16. Qb8+!! Nxb8 17. Rd8# 1-0 [Ron]

1. d4 f5 2. e4 fxe4 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 e6 5. Nxe4 Be7 6. Bxf6 Bxf6 7. Nf3 O-O 8. Bd3 b6 9. Ne5 Bb7 10. Qh5 Qe7 11. Qxh7+ Kxh7 12. Nxf6+ Kh6 13. Neg4+ Kg5 14. h4+ Kf4 15. g3+ Kf3 16. Be2+ Kg2 17. Rh2+ Kg1 18. Kd2# 1-0

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nf6 5. Qd3 e5?

5... Nxe4

6. dxe5 Qa5+ 7. Bd2 Qxe5 8. O-O-O Nxe4?? 9. Qd8+! Kxd8 10. Bg5+ Kc7 11. Bd8# 1-0

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 c5? 4. Nf3

4. exd5 exd5 5. dxc5

4... Nc6 5. exd5 exd5 6. Be2 Nf6 7. O-O Be7 8. Bg5 O-O 9. dxc5 Be6 10. Nd4 Bxc5 11. Nxe6 fxe6 12. Bg4 Qd6 13. Bh3 Rae8 14. Qd2 Bb4 15. Bxf6 Rxf6 16. Rad1 Qc5 17. Qe2 Bxc3 18. bxc3 Qxc3 19. Rxd5 Nd4 20. Qh5 Ref8 21. Re5 Rh6 22. Qg5 Rxh3 23. Rc5 Qg3

23... Qg3 24. Qxg3 Ne2+ 25. Kh1 Nxg3+ 26. Kg1 Ne2+ 27. Kh1 Rc3

0-1 [Ron]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 Bxb4 5. c3 Ba5 6. d4 exd4 7. O-O Nf6 8. Ba3 Bb6 9. Qb3 d5 10. exd5 Na5 11. Re1+ Be6 12. dxe6 Nxb3 13. exf7+ Kd7 14. Be6+ Kc6 15. Ne5+ Kb5 16. Bc4+ Ka5 17. Bb4+ Ka4 18. axb3# 1-0

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. g3 c6 4. Bg2

4. d5 b5! 5. dxc6 bxc4 6. cxd7+ Nbxd7 7. Bg2 Rb8 8. Nf3 Bg7 9. O-O O-O Byrne,R-Fischer,R ch-USA 1962

4... d5 5. cxd5

5. Qb3

5... cxd5 6. Nc3 Bg7 7. e3

7. Nf3 O-O 8. Ne5 (8. O-O Ne4!) 8... Bf5 9. O-O Ne4 10. Qb3 Nc6 11. Qxd5 Nxc3 12. bxc3 Qxd5 13. Bxd5 Nxe5 14. dxe5 Bxe5 Benko,P-Fischer,R ch-USA 1962

7... O-O 8. Nge2 Nc6 9. O-O b6 10. b3

10. Nf4 e6 11. b3 Ba6 12. Re1 Rc8 13. Ba3 Re8 14. Rc1 Stahlberg,G-Flohr,S Kemeri 1937

10... Ba6 11. Ba3 Re8 12. Qd2

12. Rc1

12. f4!? e6 Bf8, Ra8-c8-c7, Rec8

12... e5!

12... e6

13. dxe5

13. Rac1 exd4 (13... Rc8 14. Rfd1 e4 15. f3!) 14. exd4 Rc8 15. f3

13... Nxe5 14. Rfd1?

14. Rad1! 14... Ne4 (14... Rc8 15. Nxd5 Nxd5 16. Bxd5 Bd3 17. Bg2 Rc2 18. Qxc2) (14... Nd3 15. Qc2) (14... Qd7 15. Qc2 Rd2, Rfd1 15... Rac8 16. Qb1!) (14... Qc7 15. Qc1! Ne4!? 16. Nxd5! Qxc1 17. Nxc1 Bxf1 18. Bxe4 Ba6 19. Ne7+ Kh8 20. Bxa8 Rxa8 21. f4) (14... Qc8! 15. Nxd5 (15. Rc1 Qd7! 16. Rcd1 Rad8) (15. Bb2 15... Qf5) (15. Qc1 Ne4 16. Nxd5 Bxe2 17. Bxe4 Kh8! 18. Qxc8 Raxc8 19. Ne7 Rc7 20. Rc1 Rd7 21. Rfe1 Bf3!) 15... Nxd5 16. Bxd5 Rd8 17. f4 Rxd5! 18. Qxd5 Bb7! 19. Qd8+ (19. Qd2 Qh3! 20. Nd4 Ng4 21. Rfe1 (21. Nc2 h5) 21... Nxe3!) 19... Qxd8 20. Rxd8+ Rxd8 21. fxe5 Bxe5) 15. Nxe4 dxe4 16. Bxe4 Qxd2 17. Rxd2 Nc4 18. Bxa8 Nxd2 19. Rd1 Nc4 20. bxc4 (20. Bc6! Averbakh,Y 20... Nxa3 21. Bxe8 Bxe2 22. Rd7) 20... Rxa8 c4,

14... Nd3! 15. Qc2

15. Nd4 Ne4 16. Nxe4 dxe4 17. Bb2 Rc8

15. Nf4 Ne4 16. Nxe4 dxe4 (16... Bxa1? 17. Nd6) 17. Rab1 Rc8 18. Nxd3 Bc3! 19. Qe2 Bxd3 20. Qg4 f5 21. Qh3 Bxb1! 22. Rxd8 Rexd8 23. Bf1 Rd1 24. Kg2 Bd3! 25. Bxd3 exd3

15. f3 Bh6 16. f4 (16. Nf4? d4!) 16... Bg7! Ne4

15... Nxf2! 16. Kxf2 Ng4+ 17. Kg1 Nxe3 18. Qd2 Nxg2!

18... Nxd1 19. Rxd1

19. Kxg2 d4! 20. Nxd4 Bb7+ 21. Kf1

21. Kg1 Bxd4+ 22. Qxd4 Re1+! 23. Kf2 Qxd4+ 24. Rxd4 Rxa1 25. Rd7 Rc8 26. Rxb7 (26. Bb2 Rh1) 26... Rxc3 27. Rb8+ Kg7 28. Bb2 Rxa2

21. Kf2 Qd7! 22. Rac1 Qh3 23. Nf3 Bh6 24. Qd3 Be3+ 25. Qxe3 Rxe3 26. Kxe3 Re8+ 27. Kf2 Qf5!

21... Qd7!

21... Qd7! 22. Qf2 (22. Ndb5 Qh3+ 23. Kg1 Bh6) 22... Qh3+ 23. Kg1 Re1+!! 24. Rxe1 Bxd4

0-1 [CB]

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 e6 3. e3 c5 4. c4 Nc6 5. Nc3 Nf6 6. dxc5 Bxc5 7. a3 a6 8. b4 Bd6 9. Bb2 O-O 10. Qd2

10. cxd5 exd5 11. Be2

10. Bd3

10... Qe7! 11. Bd3

11. cxd5?

11... dxc4 12. Bxc4 b5 13. Bd3 Rd8 14. Qe2 Bb7 15. O-O Ne5 16. Nxe5 Bxe5 17. f4 Bc7 18. e4 Rac8 19. e5 Bb6+ 20. Kh1 Ng4! 21. Be4

21. Qxg4? Rxd3 Rc3

21. Ne4 Rxd3! 22. Qxd3 Bxe4 23. Qxe4 Qh4 24. h3 Qg3 25. hxg4 Qh4#

21. Bxh7+ Kxh7 22. Qxg4 Rd2

21... Qh4 22. g3

22. h3 Rxc3 23. Bxc3 (23. Bxb7 Rxh3+ 24. gxh3 Qxh3+ 25. Qh2 Qxh2#) (23. Qxg4 Rxh3+ 24. Qxh3 Qxh3+ 25. gxh3 Bxe4+ 26. Kh2 Rd2+ 27. Kg3 Rg2+ 28. Kh4 Bd8+ 29. Kh5 Bg6#) 23... Bxe4 24. Qxg4 (24. Qxe4 Qg3) 24... Qxg4 25. hxg4 Rd3 26. Kh2 Rxc3

22... Rxc3 23. gxh4

23. Bxc3 Bxe4+ 24. Qxe4 Qxh2#

23. Bxb7 Rxg3 24. Rf3 (24. Bf3 Nxh2) 24... Rxf3 25. Bxf3 Nf2+ 26. Kg1 (26. Kg2 Qh3+ 27. Kg1 Ne4+ 28. Kh1 Ng3#) 26... Ne4+ 27. Kf1 Nd2+ 28. Kg2 Nxf3 29. Qxf3 (29. Kxf3 Qh5+) 29... Rd2+

23... Rd2 24. Qxd2

24. Qxg4 Bxe4+ 25. Rf3 Rxf3

24. Bxc3 Rxe2 25. Rf2 Bxe4+ 26. Kg1 Bxf2+ 27. Kf1 Bf3 28. Rd1 Nxh2#

24. Bxb7 Rxe2 25. Bg2 Rh3

24... Bxe4+ 25. Qg2 Rh3!!

Rubinsteins "Immortal game".

25... Rh3!! 26. Rf3 (26. Rf2 Bxf2 27. Qxe4 Rxh2#) 26... Bxf3 27. Qxf3 Rxh2#

0-1 [CB]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 Bxb4 5. c3 Ba5 6. d4 exd4 7. O-O d3 8. Qb3 Qf6 9. e5 Qg6 10. Re1 Nge7 11. Ba3 b5 12. Qxb5 Rb8 13. Qa4 Bb6 14. Nbd2 Bb7 15. Ne4 Qf5 16. Bxd3 Qh5

White has a huge advantage and it is time for desicive action. In accordance with his own romantic style and public demand Anderssen played

17. Nf6+

?!! The two exclamation marks are for one of the most beautiful combinations in chess history, which was started with this move. But objectively the search for beauty created unnecessary complications. The prosaic

17. Ng3 Qh6 18. Bc1 Qe6 19. Bc4 Nd5 (19... Qg6 20. Nh4 Qg4 21. Bxf7+) 20. Ng5 Qg4 21. Re4 would finish the game without any troubles, but then chess would have lost one of the jewels from it"s crown!

17... gxf6 18. exf6 Rg8!

At first sight an open g-file gives Black excellent counter-attacking chances, but Anderssen"s calculations were beyond the fears of an ordinary human being.

19. Rad1!

I"ll spare you from hundreds of analyses by following generations of chess players. After endless debate they have agreed that 19.Rad1 was better than the alternative 19.Be4. Now the best reply was 19. ..Rg4!, which would pose some difficult problems for White, but in the emerging wild complications White would, in my opinion, retain the upper hand.

19... Qxf3?

Now White" s king is suddenly just one step from decapitation. But how can we reproach Dufresne from not recognising the magic of a genius?

20. Rxe7+! Nxe7!?

Another proof that chess masterpieces require the generous cooperation of the loser! Nowadays a professional player and, of course, a computer, would have without hesitation resorted to 20...Kd8

20... Kd8 preventing the upcoming demolition, but losing anyway later after 21. Rxd7+! Kc8 (21... Kxd7 22. Bf5+ Ke8 23. Bd7+ Kd8 24. Bxc6+ with mate.) 22. Rd8+! Kxd8 (22... Rxd8 23. gxf3 or) (22... Nxd8 23. Qd7+!! - the same motif) 23. Be2+ less clear is(23. Bf5+ Qxd1+ 24. Qxd1+ Nd4 25. g3 Rg5! 26. Bh3 Bf3!) 23... Nd4 24. Bxf3 Bxf3 25. g3 Bxd1 26. Qxd1 with a boring but winning endgame.

21. Qxd7+!! Kxd7 22. Bf5+ Ke8 23. Bd7+ Kf8 24. Bxe7#

Not surprising that chess players of the time, impressed by this kind of greatness, did not want to listen to dull positional advice. But the old combinational school, led by its first knight Anderssen, was doomed in the battle against the modernized warfare techniques of Paul Morphy, whose tactics had a much better positional foundataion.

1-0 [Kasparov]