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Savielly Tartakower vs Josef Lokvenc
Venice (1948), Venice ITA, rd 7, Oct-??
Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit. Accepted Scheveningen Formation (B21)  ·  1-0

ANALYSIS [x]

FEN COPIED

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sac: 39.Rxh6 PGN: download | view | print Help: general | java-troubleshooting

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Kibitzer's Corner
Nov-04-21
Premium Chessgames Member
  kingscrusher: Early Smith-Morra gambit game :)
Nov-04-21
Premium Chessgames Member
  Honza Cervenka: Why not 31.Bxf7?
Nov-04-21
Premium Chessgames Member
  NM JRousselle: 31 Bf7 is the best move.
Nov-04-21
Premium Chessgames Member
  fredthebear: 31.Bxf7 is tempting, but does not lead to a clear checkmate. Dr. Tartakower preferred a safe game with positional pressure, keeping the Black Nd8 tied to defense, interrupting the rooks. The Nd8 never left.

It's a matter of taste. White has a good game without sacrificing, and does not need to hurry. It seems that Tal & Spassky would have sacked, but not Petrosian or Karpov. I'd much prefer a pawn on g3 before giving away a piece.

Nov-05-21
Premium Chessgames Member
  Honza Cervenka: <fredthebear> 31.Bxf7 Nxf7 32.Rxg6+ Kh8 33.Rdd6 looks like quite obvious and safe way to fast win. The only way to cover threatening mate is 33...Qe1+ 34.Kg2 Qc1 but then 35.Rdf6 with next 36.Nd6 forces heavy loss of material for black, for example 35...a5 36.Nd6 Qc6+ 37.Kg3 Qc7 38.Rxh6+ Nxh6 39.Rxh6+ Qh7 40.Qg6 Qxh6 41.Qxh6+ Kg8 42.Qg6+ Kh8 43.Nf7+ Rxf7 44.Qxf7 etc.
Nov-05-21
Premium Chessgames Member
  Honza Cervenka: 36...Rc6 could prolong black's resistance. Of course, 37.Rxc6 bxc6 38.Rxa7 wins a Pawn and it should be probably enough for win with best play of white but black would be still alive with some practical chances at least.
Nov-05-21
Premium Chessgames Member
  fredthebear: <Honza>: I saw this far <31.Bxf7 Nxf7 32.Rxg6+ Kh8 33.Rdd6 and 33...Qe1+ 34.Kg2 Qc1> (See diagram below) and missed the finish.


click for larger view

It's easy for White to become concerned about the open g-file in the above position following the Bxf7 sacrifice: a lost tempo (non-forcing move) would allow heavy piece exchanges after a ...Rg8 pin. It's a false alarm if the correct sequence is found, but a very real concern OTB when considering a piece sacrifice for two pawns that also appears to enhance mobility for the opponent. (A faulty sacrifice is one of the most common ways a master loses in an equal or better position, so White is leery of "blowing" a better position when a seemingly safe continuation is available.)

I also kept considering a possible Rd7 sooner and later, wearing on my patience. So, a mix of moves that don't work, and concern over the open g-file (having to avoid trades down a bishop), and one resolves to play it safe and sound and maintain the Nd8. Thus unclear/wrong/insecure calculations lead one to resort to intuition and comfort. "Why risk it?" Perhaps these same concerns happened to Tartakower? He kept material equality, held the position with pressure, and allowed Black to blunder.

Tartakower played first board for France in the 1950 Olympiad, so he was still a strong player when this game was played.

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