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Paul Keres vs Robert Byrne
URS-USA (1955), Moscow URS, rd 2, Jul-01
Sicilian Defense: Chameleon (B20)  ·  1-0

ANALYSIS [x]

FEN COPIED

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Kibitzer's Corner
Apr-29-06  paladin at large: Keres steadily gains time and dismantles a strong opponent, thereby making a total of only four pawn moves.
Nov-21-15  zydeco: Incredibly, it feels like it's all-but-over after 14.Na5. White threatens 15.Rb3 and if 14....Bb4 15.Nxb7 Kxb7 16.Rb3.

I imagine 19.Bxc5 would have won too, but Keres is in no rush to simplify.

Jun-11-22  jerseybob: I don't like 3..d5?! A few moves later black has a losing ending on his hands. 3..d6 I do like.
Jun-11-22
Premium Chessgames Member
  Dionysius1: I don't know so much <jerseybob> after 4.exd5 ♘xd5 5.♘xd5 ♕xd5 6.d4 cxd4 7.♕xd4 ♕xd4 8.♘xd4


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I get the feeling that Keres just won because he was Keres. I don't see his winning ending in the position.

Jun-11-22  jerseybob: <Dionysius1: I don't know so much <jerseybob> ......I get the feeling that Keres just won because he was Keres. I don't see his winning ending in the position.> Well, being Keres certainly counts for something! But beyond that, white has a slight but undeniable edge in development, and above all that nice 3-2 queenside pawn majority. I'm not claiming a forced win after 8.Nxd4, but white just has easier choices and more threats.
Jun-13-22
Premium Chessgames Member
  Dionysius1: Thanks.

And you've just made me think a bit there. Is a 3-2 pawn majority better than a 4-3? They're both a pawn extra, but does the higher proportion of 3:2 compared to 4:3 count for something?

I'd never heard that, but maybe so?

Jun-13-22
Premium Chessgames Member
  keypusher: <dionysius1> <jerseybob>

Two pawns v. three on the queenside is the basis for the minority attack, which is probably overrated (AlphaZero vs Stockfish, 2018 (kibitz #2)) but still a mainstay of the Carlsbad for white and many variations of the Sicilian and other openings for Black. You always have to look at the specific position, and here Keres is clearly ahead in development and has more space after 8 moves. But I don't think the extra queenside pawn is much of an asset.

Jun-13-22
Premium Chessgames Member
  perfidious: Just as the Maroczy Bind was held up as all but a forced win for White before being shorn of its terrors, the queenside majority assumed an advantage of mythical proportions in the literature for some years.
Jun-13-22  Petrosianic: This used to be the game, more than any other, that made the Queenside Majority look devastating.

Marshall vs Capablanca, 1909

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