Eleazar Jimenez Zerquera vs Mikhail Botvinnik (1967)

Eleazar Jimenez Zerquera vs Mikhail Botvinnik
Spain 1967 · Pirc Defense: General (B07) · 0-1

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Sep-20-05		keypusher: Nice game by Botvinnik with a funny conclusion (though I am sure Jimenez wasn't laughing). Botvinnik did great things with the Pirc/Robatsch.

Apr-30-07		PizzatheHut: Very pretty conclusion.

May-05-07		notyetagm: <keypusher: Nice game by Botvinnik with a funny conclusion (though I am sure Jimenez wasn't laughing). Botvinnik did great things with the Pirc/Robatsch.> Great things indeed. In this database Botvinnik has a god-like record of <+15 =5 -0> in 20 games playing the Black side of the Pirc Defense! Yes, that is not a typo: Botvinnik scored <87.5%(!)> (17.5/20) as Black using the Pirc Defense. Is this the greatest record with Black in an opening in this database? It is difficult to imagine someone doing better by scoring 90% with Black in a particular opening.

May-05-07		notyetagm: <PizzatheHut: Very pretty conclusion.> Absolutely! Position after 35 f2-d2? e7-c5!!: click for larger view The obvious threats are 36 ... d3xd2, exploiting the <ABSOLUTE PIN> of the White e3-bishop to the White g1-king along the g1-a7 diagonal by the Black c5-bishop, and also simply capturing twice on e3 with 36 ... c5xe3+ 37 d2xe3 d3xe3. What is not so obvious is that 35 ... e7-c5!! wins at least a whole piece! Why? Because after 36 d2xd3 c4xd3, Black cannot simultaneously meet the threat to the <HANGING> White e3-bishop -and- stop the passed Black d3-pawn (<POWERFUL PASSED PAWN>)from promoting. (VAR) Position after 36 d2xd3 c4xd3: click for larger view White's best attempts to meet both of these threats is 37 g1-f2 d3-d2! <pin> f2-e2 c5xe3 <overworked>, losing a whole piece. (VAR) Position after 37 g1-f2 d3-d2! f2-e2 c5xe3: click for larger view

May-05-07		notyetagm: 35 ... e7-c5!! <REMOVE THE GUARD> is a tremendous tactical shot by Botvinnik.

Feb-16-12		LawrenceBernstein: <REMOVE THE GUARD> yes, nice one.

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