[Event "Moscow"] [Site "?"] [Round "0"] [White "Unzicker"] [Black "Stahlberg"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "B33"] [Opening "Sicilian: Open, 2...Nc6"] {A liquidating combination of doubtful value} 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 d6 6. Bg5 e6 7. Qd2 Be7 8. O-O-O O-O 9. f4 h6 10. Bh4 Nxe4 { The line actually played is a combinative liquidation aiming at a quick draw. The Russian Grandmaster Geller has used this system a number of times with considerable success. The present game, however, casts doubt on the value of the liquidation} (10... Nxd4 11. Qxd4 Qa5 12. e5 dxe5 13. Qxe5 Qxe5 14. fxe5 Nd5 15. Bxe7 Nxe7 { Subsequent experience showed that Black could hold his own in the ending}) 11. Bxe7 (11. Nxe4 Bxh4 12. Nxc6 bxc6 13. Nxd6 Be7 {Black would have no trouble}) 11... Nxd2 12. Bxd8 Nxf1 13. Nxc6 bxc6 14. Be7 Re8 15. Rhxf1 Rxe7 16. Rxd6 Bb7 {This position is critical to the validity of this combinative liquidation.} 17. g3 $1 (17. Re1 c5 18. g3 Rc8 {A quick draw: Szabo-Geller, Amsterdam, 1956}) (17. Ne4 c5 18. Nxc5 Bxg2) 17... c5 18. Rfd1 {White has a slight but definite pull. Hi is master of the open d-file and the Black pawn structure has been weakened} 18... g5 $2 (18... Kf8 { White can achieve a won Knight vs Bishop ending} 19. Rd8+ Rxd8 20. Rxd8+ Re8 21. Rxe8+ Kxe8 22. Nb5 $1) (18... g6) 19. Re1 $1 gxf4 20. gxf4 Kf8 21. Re5 Rc7 (21... Rc8) 22. Nb5 Rcc8 23. f5 $1 exf5 (23... a6 {blockading the pawn} 24. Na3 ) 24. Rxf5 Be4 25. Rf4 Bh7 26. Rdf6 (26. Rxh6 Kg7 27. Ra6 Rab8 28. Rxa7 $1) 26... Bg8 27. Nd6 Rc7 28. Rxh6 Rd8 29. Nf5 Rcd7 30. b3 Rd1+ 31. Kb2 Rg1 32. Rc6 Rg2 33. h4 Bh7 34. Rxc5 Bg6 35. Rc7 Rh2 36. h5 $1 Bxh5 37. Nh6 Rdd2 38. Nxf7 Kg7 39. Ng5+ Kh6 40. Nf3 Rdf2 41. Rf6+ Bg6 42. Nxh2 Rxf6 43. Ng4+ { the last little combinative liquidation} 1-0