White to play: 50 ?

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I particularly like how Korchnoi played 50 ♖c7x♗d7!,

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giving up the exchange to capture the critical Black light-squared d7-bishop in order to break the <LIGHT-SQUARED BLOCKADE> of his connected passed White d6- and e5-pawns.

Once again, what is important is not one comes -off- the board but what remains -on- the board. After the exchange sacrifice 50 ♖c7x♗d7!, the <LIGHT-SQUARED BLOCKADE> of the White connected passed pawns has been broken and their advance immediately forces Tal's resignation.

Final position after 53 e6-e7 1-0:

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Korchnoi's 19 e4-e5! is a tremendous tactical blow.

Black appears to have four units covering the e5-square (Black d6-pawn, d7-knight, e7-queen, f6-bishop) while the White e5-pawn is supported only by the White f4-pawn.

But because of the support of the White f4-pawn, the three Black pieces <DEFEND> the e5-square -only- -after- the Black d6-pawn. This is the tactical idea of <PRECEDENCE>: Black has four units covering the e5-square but the Black d6-pawn must go first because White controls this square with his White f4-pawn.

Korchnoi said that before the start of this game his record against Mikhail Tal was 5 wins and 5 draws and that Tal was “generally afraid of him” at this point in their careers.

9… Na6 Korchnoi does not believe that this move was the best. He said the best line is 9… Re8 followed by Nd7. Tal played the move because he was afraid Korchnoi prepared something for him at home.

10 h3 This move protects the f3 Knight against exchange with the white light square Bishop to support an eventual e4-e5.

12… Ne8 Korchnoi says that Tal thought a long time before making this move. Tal recognized that preventing e5 was impossible and intended to station this e8 Knight as a blockader at d6. Korchnoi points out Tal’s position wasted 2 tempos with the Knights crossing each other. With this move “Tal acknowledged the failure of his opening line”. Korchnoi applauded Tal’s “flexible mind” by fixing the mistake. He credits Tal’s flexible thinking to his great success in chess.

13. Bg5 This move was meant to crowd the black position and make the f6 square difficult to utilize. Tal responds with 13… Bf6 , offering to exchange his best bishop to relieve the crowding and free-up space. Korchnoi declines by moving the Bishop back to e3.

27… b3!? Tal thought a long time here. Tal’s intent here was to “create air” for his pieces with Rook b8 - b4 – e4. Tal’s intent was just to survive, but during the game Korchnoi underestimated white’s resources and thought Tal was playing for a win.

28. Rac1 Qxa4 Korchnoi is yielding material for time.

29… Bc8? Korchnoi views this as the fatal mistake. Black’s entire position is based upon counter-play along the h1-a8 diagonal. Tal should have moved the Bishop to a8 not c8.

31 Bxe6 Korchnoi deliberately creates a bishops of opposite color situation. Here Korchnoi has the initiative where Tal’s bishop is reduced to passive defense. Korchnoi states that Tal’s bishop “does not play” and that white is for all practical purposes “a piece up”.

32… Re8 was a “technical blunder” by Tal. After 33. Qg5 Re4 34. Rf2 Qd4 35. Qf6 Qxe5 36. d7 ! So Tal played 34… f5 instead (forced I assume). The misplaced Rook belonged on b8 not e8.

44 Kg3 Korchnoi said that he felt that the position here would "win itself" for white. However, he underestimated the resources of black. The game was adjourned and resulted in eventual time trouble after Korchnoi recognized that it was not so easy for white to win. Instead of 44. Kg3, there was no defense for 44. gxf5! Bxf5 45. Rc4 Qa7 46. Rc5 a4 47. e6 Bxe6 (47… Rxe6 48. Qf8 or 47… a3 48. e7) 48. Rc7 +

http://www.chessvibes.com/reports/v... http://www.chessbase.com/newsdetail...
http://mundoajedrez.com.pe/the-time...

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is the nightmare of Modern Benoni players, with White's advanced and mobile center. It takes a Tal to find any sort of counterplay.