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Positional Masterworks
Compiled by DcGentle
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The art of positional chess is endangered to become extinct by the influence of computer chess, so here there are some samples how to play differently.

Strangulation of the kingside!
V Tietz vs Lasker, 1889 
(C79) Ruy Lopez, Steinitz Defense Deferred, 40 moves, 0-1

Invasion on the c-file.
Lasker vs Steinitz, 1894 
(C50) Giuoco Piano, 51 moves, 0-1

Only fighting for c5 and c6.
Rubinstein vs Salwe, 1908  
(D33) Queen's Gambit Declined, Tarrasch, 38 moves, 1-0

The battle for f4.
Janowski vs Lasker, 1914 
(D30) Queen's Gambit Declined, 52 moves, 0-1

A king sneaks in!
Alekhine vs Yates, 1922  
(D63) Queen's Gambit Declined, Orthodox Defense, 38 moves, 1-0

Square b7 exposed.
Rubinstein vs S Takacs, 1926 
(D65) Queen's Gambit Declined, Orthodox, Rubinstein Attack, Main line, 53 moves, 1-0

14...h5! Prophylaxis!
Kupchik vs Capablanca, 1926 
(A46) Queen's Pawn Game, 39 moves, 0-1

Superior pawns' stewardship.
Bogoljubov vs Capablanca, 1928 
(E12) Queen's Indian, 41 moves, 0-1

How to win the closed game.
Capablanca vs K Treybal, 1929 
(D11) Queen's Gambit Declined Slav, 58 moves, 1-0

Close to checkmating the opponent's queen.
N Mannheimer vs A Nimzowitsch, 1930  
(C01) French, Exchange, 44 moves, 0-1

Pressure play!
F Gygli vs Alekhine, 1934 
(A44) Old Benoni Defense, 40 moves, 0-1

Play on both wings.
Alekhine vs Euwe, 1938 
(D14) Queen's Gambit Declined Slav, Exchange Variation, 41 moves, 1-0

No chance for Black's bishops.
Petrosian vs A Nielsen, 1960  
(A80) Dutch, 25 moves, 1-0

Square control by a restrained opening.
Fischer vs Tukmakov, 1970 
(A01) Nimzovich-Larsen Attack, 26 moves, 1-0

The Petrosian king's walk.
Petrosian vs J Peters, 1976 
(A34) English, Symmetrical, 50 moves, 1-0

Excellent piece play.
Kasparov vs Petrosian, 1982  
(E11) Bogo-Indian Defense, 24 moves, 1-0

Karpovian prophylaxis!
Karpov vs A Yusupov, 1983 
(C82) Ruy Lopez, Open, 44 moves, 1-0

A positional sacrifice!
Gelfand vs Dreev, 1993 
(D47) Queen's Gambit Declined Semi-Slav, 44 moves, 0-1

The longest pawn chain.
J Polgar vs Bacrot, 1999 
(C78) Ruy Lopez, 75 moves, 0-1

Choking off the tactical engine monster!
Karjakin vs Deep Junior, 2004 
(B90) Sicilian, Najdorf, 42 moves, 1-0

The long-term plan
Kramnik vs Anand, 2007 
(E06) Catalan, Closed, 5.Nf3, 53 moves, 1-0

A crushing pawn roller.
Carlsen vs Grischuk, 2009 
(B84) Sicilian, Scheveningen, 37 moves, 1-0

A positional struggle!
Kramnik vs Carlsen, 2010 
(E15) Queen's Indian, 45 moves, 1-0

Space advantage by three early pawn moves!
The World vs V Akobian, 2012 
(B12) Caro-Kann Defense, 35 moves, 1-0

Purely positional play, an alternative method in chess.
Carlsen vs Harikrishna, 2013 
(C44) King's Pawn Game, 49 moves, 1-0

25 games

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