A.J. Goldsby - Steph_deluxe
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A nice game with a lot of sacrifices.
***
This
is a sharp line of the Sicilian. There are very few reliable (on-line) sources
for
this particular variation, which is the main reason I wanted to post this game
on my web site.
We start off with a nice, open Sicilian.
1.e4
c5; 2.Nf3
d6; 3.d4
cxd4; 4.Nxd4
Nf6; 5.Nc3
a6; {Diagram?}
The Najdorf Sicilian. This is a
favorite of many GM's, but it did
not really receive widespread
acceptance until Fischer began
using it as his main defense to
the move, 1. e4.
6.Bg5, {Diagram?}
The sharpest line.
There are many other playable choices here. (Be2, Bc4, etc.)
[ 6.Be2!? ].
Now
Black prepares to develop his K-side, and prevents the doubling of his
King-Bishop Pawns.
6...e6; 7.f4
Nbd7!?; {Diagram?}
This early Knight foray has a lot
of fans at the GM-level.
[ The main line is: 7...Be7;
8.Qf3
Nbd7;
9.0-0-0
Qc7; 10.Bd3
b5; This is the
main line here.
( Black could also play: 10...h6!?;
11.Bh4
g5!?; 12.fxg5
Ne5; "~" {Diagram?}
which is
the "Browne System."
(This system was pioneered by GM Walter Shawn Browne,
who has
won the U.S.
Championship many times.) ). 11.Rhe1
Bb7; 12.Qg3!,
"+/=" {Diagram?}
which was first seen in OTB play
in the famous Fischer-Spassky
match.
(The Chess World Championship, Reykjavik, Iceland. 1972.)
].
8.Qf3!, {Diagram?}
I like this, this could be the
sharpest line for White.
(Since Black usually plans
on developing his QB on the
long diagonal, this is probably
the most
challenging set-up
for Black to meet.)
[ Another line would be:
8.Be2!?
Qb6!?; 9.Nb3
Be7;
10.Qd3!?
Qc7; 11.Bf3
Rb8!? "="
with a good game in store for
both players from this position.
Another very complicated line is: 8.Bc4!?
Qb6!?; {Diagram?} Apparently, this is the sharpest
reply, targeting the White b-Pawn. 9.Bb3
Be7; 10.f5!?
Nc5!;
11.fxe6
fxe6; 12.Be3
Qc7;
13.0-0
b5; 14.a3
Nxb3;
15.cxb3
0-0; 16.b4
Qd7;
17.Qe2
Bb7; 18.Bf2
Rac8;
19.e5!?
Nd5; "=" {Diagram?}
with a very balanced position.
This is the game:
GM D. Bronstein - GM V. Savon;
The great International
Chess Tournament. Moscow, U.S.S.R. (RUS); 1970.
This is from the book,
"The Complete Najdorf, 6. Bg5,"
by GM John Nunn.
[ Chapter # 14, (Bg5, e6; f4, Nbd7) Line # (C.), beginning on
page # 301.].
***
GM David Bronstein is well known
for his creative and unusual play.
He has won the Soviet
Championship, and once played a match with M.
Botvinnik for the World
Championship.
Vladimir Savon is a very strong GM, but is not well known outside of the (former) Soviet Union. ].
8...Qc7; 9.0-0-0
b5!?; {Diagram?}
One of the main lines of this entire
variation. Black decides to get his
Q-side counter-play rolling as
quickly as possible.
[ With the continuation:
9...Be7; 10.Bd3,
we will probably transpose back
to the main lines.
(White could also try: 10.Be2!?)
].
White to move, what would you
play here, in this position?
10.Bxb5!?, (Maybe - '!!')
{Diagram?}
White sacrifices a Bishop ...
and is ready to sacrifice even
more material.
Is this sound? I think so. Does theory agree with this sacrifice? I am not real sure about this.
[ The move, 10.Bd3!?, {Diagram?} will probably transpose to the main lines of this variation.
The more common way to reach
the lines in this is to use the move
order beginning with:
10.e5!? Bb7;
11.Qh3
dxe5;
12.Nxe6!? fxe6;
13.Qxe6+
Be7;
14.Bxb5
axb5; 15.Nxb5,
{"Compensation"} etc. ].
10...axb5; 11.e5!, {Diagram?}
The sharpest. White decides to
"Pump up the volume."
[ The most commonly played line is:
11.Ndxb5!?
Qb6; 12.e5
Bb7;
13.Qe2
h6!; 14.Bxf6
gxf6; The end of the column.
15.Nxd6+!?,
( Probably better is: >=
15.exd6!, {"Comp"} - GM N. de Firmian. )
Now play
continues: 15...Bxd6;
16.Rxd6
Qb4;
17.Qd2
Nb6;
"=/+" {Diagram?}
F. Hellers - V. Ivanov;
Philadelphia, (World Open?) / USA /1992.
[ See MCO-14;
pg.'s # 253-255,
column # 16, and also note # (s.). ] ].
11...Bb7; {Diagram?}
This is forced.
[ Too dangerous was:
11...dxe5?!; 12.Ndxb5!
Qb7!; The best move here.
(Worse is: 12...Qb8?; 13.Qxa8
Qxa8; 14.Nc7+
Ke7; 15.Nxa8,
"+/-").
13.fxe5
Nxe5!?; {Diagram?}
This is really quite dangerous.
(But looks like the most testing
move here.) (Better was: 13...Ra5!?;
"~" with close to
an equal position.)
14.Bxf6!
gxf6; {Box? Diagram?}
This is probably forced.
(14...Nxf3??;
15.Rd8#) 15.Qxf6
Bd7; 16.Qxh8,
"+/" White is clearly better here, in
this
position ... maybe even with
a winning advantage. (Maybe "+/-") ].
12.Qh3!
dxe5[]; {Diagram?}
According to theory, this move is
absolutely forced.
[ Much worse was: 12...Ne4?!;
13.Ndxb5
Qb8;
14.exd6!
Nxd6; 15.Rhe1,
{"Initiative."}
White has a powerful
initiative/attack and threatens a winning sacrifice on e6.
(Indeed. This is exactly how I
defeated a Senior Master from this position in GA in the 1980's.) ].
Now White sacrifices more material.
13.Nxe6!
fxe6; 14.Qxe6+
Be7; 15.Nxb5
Qc6; 16.Nd6+, {Diagram?}
The only way of really effectively
continuing White's offensive here.
[ The continuation:
16.Qxc6?!
Bxc6; 17.Nc7+
Kf7;
18.Nxa8
Rxa8; 19.fxe5
Nxe5;
{Diagram?}
leave us with a REALLY unusual
material balance. Black has THREE
(3!) minor pieces, while
White has
a Rook and 3 pawns. This means
Black is better by just one point,
but here his pieces
are VERY
active, several key White pawns
are under attack, and White's
King will not be
completely secure. (Probably a
"plus-under-a line" or "/+".) ].
16...Kd8; {Diagram?}
This is obviously forced.
[ 16...Kf8??; 17.Qf7#. ].
17.fxe5!, {Diagram.} White maintains the pressure.
[ 17.Nf7+?!
Kc7; 18.Qxc6+,
(18.Qxe7?
Rxa2; "-/+").
18...Bxc6; 19.Nxh8
Rxh8;
20.fxe5
Nxe5;
"=/+" Black is a little better here.
17.Nxb7+!? Kc7; 18.Qxe7 Rxa2; "~" ].
17...Qxg2?; {Diagram?}
Black grabs material, threatens the
White Bishop on g5, and generally
seems to be reeking havoc.
But the move is a severe mistake.
*****
[
Line # 17B1.)
A much better line for Black would
be: 17...Nd5!?; 18.Nxb7+!?, {Diagram?}
This looks very attractive to me.
(But checking the book may yield a slight improvement.)
***
( GM John Nunn gives the line: 18.Bxe7+!
Nxe7; 19.Nf7+
Ke8; 20.Nd6+!?, {Diagram?}
Looks indecisive to me.
(Is the continuation: 20.Qxc6
Nxc6; 21.e6
Nc5; 22.Nxh8,
"=" {Diagram?}
[Maybe - "+/="] an improvement here?
{A.J.G.}) 20...Kd8; 21.Rd2!?, {Diagram?}
Avoiding the draw.
(The safest line here is: >=
21.Nf7+
Ke8; 22.Nd6+
Kd8; 23.Nf7+,
("=")
{Diagram?}
with a draw by repetition of
position. I really don't think
either side can avoid this.)
21...Nc8!?; {Diagram?}
Black wants to rid himself of
the annoying Knight on d6.
(Better had to be: >=
21...Kc7!; "~" "Unclear?"
- GM John Nunn.)
22.Rhd1
Ncb6!?; {Diagram?} This could be inaccurate.
(Better is: >=
22...Kc7!; "~" (Maybe "=/+"))
23.Qb3!?; {Diagram?} This is interesting, but ...
(Probably better is: >=
23.Nf7+!
Kc7; 24.Rd6!,
"+/=") 23...Kc7;
"~"
{Diagram?}
(Maybe - "=")
The position is really level,
but Black blundered very
shortly and lost.
Dragomirescu - Malanca; The Romanian Championship,
(tnmt); Bucharest, ROM; 1992.
[ See the book:
"The Complete Najdorf: 6. Bg5,"
by GM John Nunn.
Chapter # 14,
(Bg5, e6; f4, Nbd7)
Line # (A12.), & page # 287. ].
)
***
17...Kc7; {Diagram?}
This might be forced. (Maybe inferior is:
18...Qxb7?!; 19.Bxe7+
Nxe7;
20.Rxd7+
Qxd7; 21.Rd1
Qxd1+; 22.Kxd1,
"+/=" {Diagram?}
White has the slightly preferable
position. His King is safer, and
Black may have trouble getting
his h8-Rook into play here.)
19.Qxc6+
Kxc6; 20.Bxe7
Nxe7; 21.a3
Nxe5; 22.Rhe1
N7g6; 23.Nd6
Rhd8;
24.Nf5,
"~" {Diagram?}
with an unbalanced position,
... and close to equality.
(Original analysis.) {A.J.G.}
Line # 17B2.)
Probably the very best line for Black
is: >= 17...Kc7!;
18.Qxe7
Nd5!;
{Diagram?}
This seems like the best move here ... and is also the first choice
of many strong
computer programs, in this
position.
( Several sources give the move, ...Rxa2 here as better,
I.e.: 18...Rxa2;
"=" {Diagram?}
GM N. de Firmian {in MCO} considers
this position equal or drawn. 19.exf6!?
Ra1+;
20.Kd2
Qd5+; 21.Kc3
Qc5+; 22.Kd3
Qd5+;
{Diagram?}
Draw. (1/2 - 1/2)
This is the game: Vitolins - Yuferov; Moscow, 1992.
[ See the book: "The Complete Najdorf, 6.Bg5,"
by GM John Nunn.
Line # A12, pg.'s 287-288. ] )
19.Rxd5
Qxd5; 20.Rd1
Qxe5; 21.Nxb7
Qxe7; 22.Bxe7
Nb6; 23.Nd6
Rxa2; 24.Kb1
Ra5;
25.c4
Rha8; 26.Rd2!,
"~" (Maybe - "=") (Original) Analysis line. {A.J.G.}
].
*****
18.Nf7+
Kc8!?; {Diagram?}
This is also forced here.
[ 18...Ke8?; 19.exf6! gxf6; 20.Rhe1, "+/-" White is winning here. ].
19.exf6!
gxf6?!; (Really
- '?') {Diagram?}
Yet another mistake.
[ Black probably had to play:
19...Qc6; 20.Qxe7
Rxa2; 21.Kb1!,
"+/-" {Diagram?}
with a nearly won game
for the first player.
The continuation: 19...Bxf6?; 20.Qxd7+, ("+/-") is also really bad for Black. ].
20.Qxd7+
Kb8; 21.Bf4+
Ka7; 22.Qxe7!, {Diagram?}
The simplest and best.
[ The line with: 22.Nxh8!? Qe4; might give Black counterplay. ].
22...Rhc8!?; {Diagram?}
This looks good (saving the
Rook), but could be inaccurate.
[ 22...Qc6!? ].
23.Be3+!?,
{Diagram?}
---> * Sigh.*
This wins, but is far from being the best.
[ The best line for White was: 23.Qa3+!
Kb6; {Diagram?} This looks to be forced.
( 23...Ba6; 24.Qe3+
Kb7; 25.Qb3+
Bb5; {Diagram?} This
looks to be forced.
(If ...Ka7; then Be3+ is really
devastating to Black.) 26.Qxb5+
Ka7; 27.Be3+
Rc5;
28.Bxc5# )
24.Be3+
Kb5; 25.Qb3+
Ka5; 26.Qb6+
Ka4; 27.Rd4+
Rc4;
28.Rxc4#. ].
23...Ka6??; {Diagram?}
Black "takes his King for a walk."
Needless to say, this move is a big mistake.
[ Black had to play ...Kb8; but
White would still win as the
following line amply demonstrates.
23...Kb8; 24.Qd6+
Rc7; 25.Qf8+
Bc8; 26.Qb4+
Qb7; 27.Qxb7+
Bxb7; 28.Rd8+
Rc8;
29.Bf4+
Ka7; 30.Rd7
Ka6;
31.Rxb7!
Kxb7; 32.Nd6+
Kb6; 33.Nxc8+
Rxc8;
34.Re1, "+/-" And White - with all of his extra
material - should win easily. ].
24.Qa3+
Kb5; 25.Qb3+
Ka6; (?) {Diagram?}
Black makes a small mistake. (The second player only had a few seconds left
here.)
[ Black had to play: 25...Ka5; 26.Qb6+ Ka4; 27.Rd4+ Rc4; 28.Rxc4#. ].
26.Qa4#,
{Diagram?}
This is mate.
(Qb6# also worked here.). [ 26.Qb6#
].
This game was played at a time
limit of only three minutes, with
NO added time or increments,
so
hopefully both sides can be forgiven
for not always finding the very best
move in this game.
Copyright (c) A.J. Goldsby I. Copyright © A.J. Goldsby, 2002.
Posted: July 08, 2002
This game is pretty much the full-fledged version, the way I
developed it in ChessBase.
(I really did not shorten it for publication.)
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Copyright (c) A.J. Goldsby I;
Copyright (©) A.J. Goldsby,
2002 - 2004.
Copyright (©) A.J. Goldsby, 2005. All rights reserved.