Florin Gheorghiu vs Alexander Beliavsky (1982)

Florin Gheorghiu vs Alexander Beliavsky
Interzonal 1982 · Benko Gambit: Accepted. Fully Accepted Variation (A58) · 0-1

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Nov-27-07		notyetagm: Gheorghiu vs Beliavsky, 1982 White to play: 34 ? click for larger view Here Gheorghiu (White) accomplishes a major strategic goal by using tactics: he liquidates his weak White b3-pawn by playing 34 b3-b4!. Position after 34 b3-b4!: click for larger view Doesn't this move just give away a pawn for nothing? N-O NO! After 34 ... c5xb4, White has the <PIN>(!) 35 e2-d2. Position after 34 ... c5xb4 35 e2-d2 <pin>: click for larger view Gheorgiu's brilliant(!) tactical point is that the sequence 34 b3-b4! c5xb4 allows him to create a <PIN> on the Black b4-pawn against the <UNDEFENDED> Black a5-queen that is sufficiently <REINFORCED> to allow him to recover his pawn! This is one of the best examples I have ever seen of the tactical idea I call <YOU CAN OCCUPY ANY SQUARE ON THE LINE OF YOUR OPPONENT'S KING OR QUEEN>, if your opponent capturing on this square results in a <PIN> that can be exploited. It is also a simply -outstanding- example of using <TACTICS> to achieve <POSITIONAL> goals. In the initial position White would like to rid himself of his weak isolated White b3-pawn and does so with 34 b3-b4!, using the <PINNING> tactic to accomplish this highly-desirable <STRATEGIC> goal and not lose material in the process. Brilliant.

Nov-27-07		notyetagm: Gheorghiu vs Beliavsky, 1982 Black to play: 47 ... ? click for larger view Here the tactical liability for White is the <LOOSE> White a2-knight, which is defended only by the White e2-queen. So Beliavsky (Black) simply played 47 ... c4-b2! and <BLOCKED THE CORRIDOR (LINE-CLOSING)> a2-e2, cutting off the line of life-giving force from the White e2-queen to the White a2-knight. Position after 47 ... c4-b2! 0-1: click for larger view Why did White resign? The only way he can save his White a2-knight is with 48 a2-c1, placing it on a square where it is <UNDEFENDED> and subject to the <QUEEN FORK> 48 ... a3-c5+. To meet the <DOUBLE ATTACK> against his f2-king and c1-knight White can try 49 e2-e3 click for larger view but that runs into the crushing tactic 49 ... c5xc1! click for larger view as the <KNIGHT FORK> 50 e3xc1 b2-d3+ regains the queen for Black, leaving him ahead by a piece. click for larger view Since this line is forced, White has no way to avoid losing a piece and resigned.

Nov-27-07		notyetagm: Gheorghiu vs Beliavsky, 1982 47 ... c4-b2! is a great example of <LINE-CLOSING> as opposed to <INTERFERENCE>, which is <BLOCKING> a line -and- threatening something else at the same time (like simultaneously giving <CHECK>). With 47 ... c4-b2! Black threatens only the White a2-knight by cutting off the line of life-giving force from the White e2-queen but that single threat is -sufficient- to win material because White has no adequate reply to this one threat. Hence Black does not need to <BLOCK> the line a2-e2 -and- threaten something else at the same time (<INTERFERENCE>) because simply closing the line (<LINE-CLOSING>) creates a threat which cannot be met.

Jan-28-08		notyetagm: Gheorghiu vs Beliavsky, 1982 34 b3-b4! is simply -outstanding- tactical play, click for larger view my favorite example in my Game Collection: You can take anything lined up with king, queen.

May-17-08		LivBlockade: After 48. Nc1 Qc5+; 49. Qe3 click for larger view <notyetagm - but that runs into the crushing tactic 49 ... c5xc1!> While 49...xc1 is nice, 49...d1+ seems simpler and stronger.

May-17-08		LivBlockade: White to play after 39...Rb8 click for larger view Instead of 40. b2, how does Black meet the simple 40. c6 e8; 41. a7 which seems to win a pawn?

May-17-08		mistreaver: <Livblockade> I think black would give up the e7 pawn to continue with the pressure against white's kingside pawns with for example 40...Rc3 and further Ne5 with pressure against f3?

May-17-08		LivBlockade: <mistreaver> You have a good point that (after 39...Rb8; 40. Nc6!?) that 40...Re8? is a mistake. However, I think Black has to continue 40...Rb1 when it looks like the threats of ...Qf1+ or (if White's queen prevents that) ...Qc1 doubling on the 1st rank, Black's attack seems winning even though White has the dangerous looking 41. Ra8+ (hoping for 41...Kh7? 42. Rh8+ Kxh8??; 43. Qh6+ Kg8; 44. Nxe7 mate), Black has resources such as 41...Nf8; 42. Rxf8+ Kg7! seems very strong for Black.

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