V.Smyslov (1921 - 2010)

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  • Egidijus Zeromskis
    • 2008-05-30
    • 5715

    #1

    V.Smyslov (1921 - 2010)

    R.I.P

  • Frank Dixon
    • 2008-10-17
    • 1785

    #2
    Favourite Smyslov game!

    May GM Smyslov rest in peace!! One of the all-time greats of chess, to be sure!

    I'm nominating my favourite Smyslov game; may other readers do the same!

    Vassily Smyslov -- Mikhail Botvinnik
    World Championship match, Moscow 1954, game 9
    French Defence, Winawer, Swiss / Armenian variation, C18

    1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4 5.e5 c5 5.a3 Ba5
    [This move characterizes the so-called Swiss or Armenian variation, revived by Armenian GM Vaganian in the 1980s. This game significantly battered its reputation.]
    6.b4 cxd4 7.Qg4 Ne7 8.bxa5 dxc3 9.Qxg7 Rg8 10.Qxh7 Nd7
    [After this game, 10...Nc6 became the main variation in top-class play.]
    11.Nf3 Nf8 12.Qd3 Qxa5 13.h4 Bd7 14.Bg5 Rc8 15.Nd4 Nf5 16.Rb1 Rc4 17.Nxf5Qxf5 18.Rxb7 Re4+ 19.Qxe4!!
    [This temporary Queen sacrifice must have been quite a surprise for the world champion, playing one of his pet variations.]
    19...dxe4 20.Rb8+! Bc8 21.Bb5+!
    [White regains the Queen with interest!]
    21...Qxb5 22.Rxb5 Ne6 23.Bf6 Rxg2 24.h5! Ba6 25.h6 1-0.
    [I can't think of another game where Botvinnik lost in 25 moves, after he became a world-class player in the early 1930s. Bravo, Smyslov!!!] :) :)

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    • Egidijus Zeromskis
      • 2008-05-30
      • 5715

      #3
      Re: V.Smyslov (1921 - 2010)

      Historic moments and a funeral in video

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