Tigran Vartanovich Petrosian vs Vasily Smyslov (1961)

Tigran Vartanovich Petrosian vs Vasily Smyslov
Moscow 1961 · English Opening: Anglo-Indian Defense. Queen's Indian Formation (A15) · 0-1

To move:

Last move:

explore this opening	find similar games	34 more Petrosian/Smyslov games
sac: 18...Rxc3	PGN: download \| view	Help: general \| java-troubleshooting

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Oct-27-08		Brown: After playing through some of Petrosian's games, I see his peculiar use of Qc1 as white. In this particular game, Smyslov penchant for piece play is evident, while his nose for the exchange sac is no less acute than his opponent's.

Sep-03-11		DrMAL: I like black's play against this unusual line with 3.d3 up to 9...Bb4 perhaps 9...d5 right away (or even on move 10) may have been better. 13.Qc1 seemed odd compared with simply 13.Nxd5 same for 14...Qf6 compared with 14...Bb7 but there must have been good reason for both from these positional titans. 17.Re4?! was more than mysterious, 17.Qa3 or 17.Rb1 to stop 17...Ncb4 was definitely better now black had an advantage and 18...Rxc3! followed by 19...Rc8! was the way to prove it. Here, 20.Qe1?! was worse than 20.Qd2 and Smyslov showed a good example of why. 24.Rxe6 left white only down a pawn but with losing position. Keeping the queens on (with 28...Qe4! strongest) may be preferred but Smyslov opted to grind out the rook endgame with 28...Rc4 winning that way, great game by him!

Sep-05-11		perfidious: While 28....Qe4 may well be strongest, Smyslov's continuation is clear, concise and an excellent practical decision; in the rook ending, White has no chances at all. This is one time we see Petrosian, that great master of the exchange sacrifice, on the receiving end of a most interesting one.

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