chessgames.com
Members · Prefs · Laboratory · Collections · Openings · Endgames · Sacrifices · History · Search Kibitzing · Kibitzer's Café · Chessforums · Tournament Index · Players · Kibitzing
Wolfgang Unzicker vs Mikhail Tal
Keres Memorial (1977), Tallinn URS, rd 14, Mar-12
Sicilian Defense: Najdorf. Opocensky Variation Modern Line (B92)  ·  0-1

ANALYSIS [x]

FEN COPIED

explore this opening
find similar games 7 more Unzicker/Tal games
PGN: download | view | print Help: general | java-troubleshooting

TIP: You can get computer analysis by clicking the "ENGINE" button below the game.

PGN Viewer:  What is this?
For help with this chess viewer, please see the Olga Chess Viewer Quickstart Guide.
PREMIUM MEMBERS CAN REQUEST COMPUTER ANALYSIS [more info]

Kibitzer's Corner
Jan-19-04  rafaelluiz: did existed a better sicilian player than Tal?

I think not.

Jan-19-04  ughaibu: Maybe Lasker, in this database twelve games, nine wins and three draws, 87.5%.
Jan-19-04  rafaelluiz: But with this number of games even I am better than Tal :)
Jan-19-04  ughaibu: How about the class of your opposition?
Mar-27-12  screwdriver: Tal may have been the best Sicilian to ever live.
Aug-15-13  nescio: Position after 16...Nc4


click for larger view

It looks like the queenside will be the main battlefield in this game but Unzicker carelessly opened the f-file with 17.Nxe6. Talj then changes direction and slowly but surely prepares a piece attack at the white king.

Better might have been 17.Bxc4 Bxc4 18.Rf2

Apr-21-20  carpovius: Nice finish 34. h3 Nf2+ 35. Kh2 Rxg1 36. Kxg1 Qe1+ 37. Kh2 Qh1+ 38. Kg3 Nxe4+
Apr-22-20  Granny O Doul: <carpovius> Your line leaves Black a rook down and getting mated after 39. Rxe4.

Simply 34...Ne3 though will see White quickly mated.

Apr-22-20  Granny O Doul: I should say though that after 34. h3 Nf2+ 35. Kh2 Rxg1 36. Kxg1 Qe1+ 37. Kh2, Black could still save a draw with ...Ng4+ and perpetual.

Alas, 36 Qc8+ before capturing the rook thwarts that scheme.

Dec-25-21  N.O.F. NAJDORF: 18. Bc1 Nxa5 19. Bg4 Nxg4 20. Qxg4 Bf8 21. Rf6 e5 22. Nd5 Qxc2 23. Bh6 g6 24. Rxf8+ Rxf8 25. Ne7+ Kh8 26. Nxc8 Rxc8 27. Qd7 Rg8 28. Qf7 wins

18. Bc1 Nxa5 19. Bg4 Nxg4 20. Qxg4 Bf8 21. Rf6 e5 22. Nd5 Qd8 23. Bh6 g6 24. Bxf8 Rxf8 25. Rxf8+ Kxf8 26. Rf1+ Kg7 27. Qe6 Rxc2 28. Rf7+ Kh8 29. h3 wins

18. Bc1 Nxa5 19. Bg4 Nxg4 20. Qxg4 Bf8 21. Rf6 e5 22. Nd5 Qxc2 23. Bh6 g6 24. Rxf8+ Rxf8 25. Ne7+ Kh8 26. Nxc8 Qxc8 27. Qe2 Rf7 28. Rxa5 Qc2 and black is winning

18. Bc1 Nxa5 19. Bg4 Bf8 20. Bh3 Nc6 21. Bf4 Rcd8 22. Bg3 Na5 23. Qe2 e5 24. Nd5 Nxd5 25. exd5 Nc4 26. Be6+ Kh8 27. Rf7 Re7 28. Raf1 Rxf7 29. Rxf7 Qb8 30. Qh5 Ne3 31. Bf2 Nc4 32. Bf5 h6 33. Qg6 Kg8 34. Bh4 Ne3 35. Qh7+ Kxf7 36. Bg6#

NOTE: Create an account today to post replies and access other powerful features which are available only to registered users. Becoming a member is free, anonymous, and takes less than 1 minute! If you already have a username, then simply login login under your username now to join the discussion.

Please observe our posting guidelines:

  1. No obscene, racist, sexist, or profane language.
  2. No spamming, advertising, duplicate, or gibberish posts.
  3. No vitriolic or systematic personal attacks against other members.
  4. Nothing in violation of United States law.
  5. No cyberstalking or malicious posting of negative or private information (doxing/doxxing) of members.
  6. No trolling.
  7. The use of "sock puppet" accounts to circumvent disciplinary action taken by moderators, create a false impression of consensus or support, or stage conversations, is prohibited.
  8. Do not degrade Chessgames or any of it's staff/volunteers.

Please try to maintain a semblance of civility at all times.

Blow the Whistle

See something that violates our rules? Blow the whistle and inform a moderator.


NOTE: Please keep all discussion on-topic. This forum is for this specific game only. To discuss chess or this site in general, visit the Kibitzer's Café.

Messages posted by Chessgames members do not necessarily represent the views of Chessgames.com, its employees, or sponsors.
All moderator actions taken are ultimately at the sole discretion of the administration.

This game is type: CLASSICAL. Please report incorrect or missing information by submitting a correction slip to help us improve the quality of our content.

<This page contains Editor Notes. Click here to read them.>

Home | About | Login | Logout | F.A.Q. | Profile | Preferences | Premium Membership | Kibitzer's Café | Biographer's Bistro | New Kibitzing | Chessforums | Tournament Index | Player Directory | Notable Games | World Chess Championships | Opening Explorer | Guess the Move | Game Collections | ChessBookie Game | Chessgames Challenge | Store | Privacy Notice | Contact Us

Copyright 2001-2025, Chessgames Services LLC