Rovner vs Tal
Riga | ?
410
[Event "Riga"] [Site "?"] [Round "0"] [White "Rovner"] [Black "Tal"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "C05"] [Opening "French: Tarrasch, Closed, 4.e5"] 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 Nf6 4. e5 Nfd7 5. Bd3 c5 6. c3 Nc6 7. Ne2 Qb6 { Black's opening strategy is clear: pile up pressure on the pawn at d4, and try to undermine the pawn chain.} 8. Nf3 cxd4 9. cxd4 f6 {This is a typical idea in such formations. Black will open up the f-file, castle, and then attack.} 10. exf6 Nxf6 11. O-O Bd6 12. Nc3 O-O 13. Re1 {White tries to discourage Black from playing e5, which will allow him to get the bad bishop into the game.} 13... Bd7 14. Nb5 Bb8 {A temporary inconvenience. The knight won't stay at b5 forever and the bishop can return to d6.} 15. Nc3 Bd6 { Why can't Black take the pawn at d4? 15...Nxd4 16.Nxd4 Qxd4 17.Bxh7+} 16. Bg5 Rae8 {The battle for the e5-square resumes.} 17. Re2 { White defends the pawn at b2.} 17... Ng4 18. h3 {Although there are several White pieces on the kingside, only one actually participates in the defense of the king, and this is now eliminated by an exchange sacrifice.} 18... Rxf3 19. gxf3 Nh2 {The threat is Nxf3+, forking the king and bishop at g5.} 20. Kg2 Nxd4 {With the defending knight at f3 gone, the pawn falls.} 21. Re3 { Necessary, to defend f3.} 21... h6 22. Bh4 Bf4 { Now White must give up the exchange.} 23. Bg6 { A desperate counterattack. The next few moves are forced.} 23... Bxe3 24. Bxe8 Nhxf3 25. Bxd7 Nxh4+ 26. Kf1 Qxb2 {Finally this pawn can be captured, and the dual threats of Qxf2 mate and Qxc3 force White to resign.} 0-1
0-1
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