| Mar-27-06 | | Resignation Trap: Three hours into the round, the audience, Keres and Bronstein were all staring at this position: White to play
click for larger viewKeres played the best continuation: 8.d4! Qh5+ 9.Kd2! Nc6 (Bronstein could have forced a draw with 9...Qf2+ 10.Ne2 Qe3+, but goes gunning for more) 10.Qf3! Nf6 11.Kd3! although it looked treacherous. Seventy years earlier, Steinitz had no qualms about using his king in the opening, and in the final game of his World Championship match, he used it good effect in a similar opening: Steinitz vs Zukertort, 1886 . By move 20, Keres had six minutes left on his clock for the next 20 moves, Bronstein had only one! Fortunately for both players, the position has been severely simplified, so it was comparatively easy to play. Both players were blitzing, zipping past the time control, and finally stopping after Black's 43rd move. Keres sealed his 44th move at adjournment. Bronstein found a continuation which easily protected all his pawns, and they agreed quickly to a draw. |
