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Bronstein's Remarkable Draws and Losses
Compiled by Everett
--*--

Narrow escapes, missed opportunities and fantastic conceptions from Bronstein's imaginative improvisation. Interesting moves are given in regular notation. Possible improvements are written inside <> brackets.

27..c5; <29..Kg7>
Smyslov vs Bronstein, 1944 
(C61) Ruy Lopez, Bird's Defense, 30 moves, 1/2-1/2

Nf1 is the true novelty
Bronstein vs V Makogonov, 1944 
(C83) Ruy Lopez, Open, 43 moves, 1/2-1/2

16..f5; 24..Nc4 <30..Bd3> <31.Rfb7>
V Makogonov vs Bronstein, 1944 
(E90) King's Indian, 42 moves, 1-0

33.Rd5!
Bronstein vs Smyslov, 1945 
(B80) Sicilian, Scheveningen, 40 moves, 1/2-1/2

Making things difficult
Aronin vs Bronstein, 1945 
(A16) English, 46 moves, 1/2-1/2

Novel play in the Winawer French
Simagin vs Bronstein, 1946 
(C18) French, Winawer, 32 moves, 1/2-1/2

King activation likely completes nice bind <31.Kf2>
Bronstein vs Lisitsin, 1947 
(B24) Sicilian, Closed, 77 moves, 0-1

<23..Bxf2!>
Smyslov vs Bronstein, 1950 
(D44) Queen's Gambit Declined Semi-Slav, 55 moves, 1-0

Amazing endgame save
Szabo vs Bronstein, 1950 
(A90) Dutch, 71 moves, 1/2-1/2

New idea in the Old Indian
Boleslavsky vs Bronstein, 1950 
(A54) Old Indian, Ukrainian Variation, 4.Nf3, 21 moves, 1/2-1/2

<41.c6> One that got away...
Bronstein vs Botvinnik, 1951 
(D45) Queen's Gambit Declined Semi-Slav, 58 moves, 1/2-1/2

<16.Ne4 or Rd6> <17.Ne4>
Bronstein vs Botvinnik, 1951 
(D44) Queen's Gambit Declined Semi-Slav, 50 moves, 0-1

<14...Nxb2>
Smyslov vs Bronstein, 1951 
(A07) King's Indian Attack, 39 moves, 1-0

<33.Nxc7>
Bronstein vs Kotov, 1951 
(E64) King's Indian, Fianchetto, Yugoslav System, 66 moves, 0-1

Active alternatives on moves 15 and 20
Keres vs Bronstein, 1951 
(A95) Dutch, Stonewall, 43 moves, 1-0

Outplaying Botvinnik again
Botvinnik vs Bronstein, 1951 
(A91) Dutch Defense, 29 moves, 1/2-1/2

White's 28th: The Richest of Positions
Bronstein vs Botvinnik, 1951 
(A07) King's Indian Attack, 66 moves, 1/2-1/2

<35..Kf7> and Black is better!
Botvinnik vs Bronstein, 1951 
(E60) King's Indian Defense, 57 moves, 1-0

<15.Bxf4> keeps the advantage
Bronstein vs Botvinnik, 1952 
(C36) King's Gambit Accepted, Abbazia Defense, 25 moves, 0-1

<14..Ba3>; <27..Rae8>
Smyslov vs Bronstein, 1953 
(A12) English with b3, 40 moves, 1/2-1/2

Complex attack
Bronstein vs Euwe, 1953 
(E59) Nimzo-Indian, 4.e3, Main line, 41 moves, 1/2-1/2

<28.Qd6 followed by Bc6>
Bronstein vs Pachman, 1955 
(D41) Queen's Gambit Declined, Semi-Tarrasch, 69 moves, 1/2-1/2

Another Escape by Perpetual
Bronstein vs Evans, 1955 
(D46) Queen's Gambit Declined Semi-Slav, 43 moves, 1/2-1/2

Tremendous invention
Spassky vs Bronstein, 1956 
(E80) King's Indian, Samisch Variation, 48 moves, 1-0

<12.Re8 followed by ...Nf8>
Petrosian vs Bronstein, 1956 
(E66) King's Indian, Fianchetto, Yugoslav Panno, 36 moves, 0-1

Patient play turns brilliant, yet unrewarded <54..e5!>
Panno vs Bronstein, 1956 
(A80) Dutch, 74 moves, 1/2-1/2

<34..e4!> takes advantage of the loose queen.
N Minev vs Bronstein, 1956 
(C15) French, Winawer, 36 moves, 1/2-1/2

9..b6 and black has all the play
Spassky vs Bronstein, 1957 
(C17) French, Winawer, Advance, 43 moves, 1/2-1/2

<40.h5!?>
Bronstein vs Boleslavsky, 1957 
(B31) Sicilian, Rossolimo Variation, 88 moves, 1/2-1/2

Dispelling the spectre of symmetry
G Pfeiffer vs Bronstein, 1957 
(C42) Petrov Defense, 27 moves, 1/2-1/2

17..b5: <19..Re8!?> sets trap but bobbles execution
Tal vs Bronstein, 1957 
(D15) Queen's Gambit Declined Slav, 46 moves, 1-0

<20..Qf8 followed by ..b5> with pressure on the c-file
Tolush vs Bronstein, 1957 
(A40) Queen's Pawn Game, 38 moves, 1-0

A game played on its head, for future analysis
Bronstein vs B Gurgenidze, 1957
(D02) Queen's Pawn Game, 41 moves, 0-1

19..b5
Keres vs Bronstein, 1958 
(E59) Nimzo-Indian, 4.e3, Main line, 41 moves, 1/2-1/2

Games within games
Bronstein vs Petrosian, 1958 
(E15) Queen's Indian, 42 moves, 1/2-1/2

Taking a rest in a superior position
Bronstein vs Petrosian, 1958
(B32) Sicilian, 26 moves, 1/2-1/2

A springy defense
Kotov vs Bronstein, 1958 
(E00) Queen's Pawn Game, 82 moves, 1/2-1/2

Ruy with Smyslov
Bronstein vs Smyslov, 1959 
(C87) Ruy Lopez, 62 moves, 1/2-1/2

Push those pawns!
Suetin vs Bronstein, 1960 
(C92) Ruy Lopez, Closed, 78 moves, 1/2-1/2

Remarkable defense unrewarded <32.Rg6>
Bronstein vs Shamkovich, 1960 
(A13) English, 43 moves, 0-1

Missed win? R vs 3 pawns...
Bronstein vs Kholmov, 1961 
(C35) King's Gambit Accepted, Cunningham, 59 moves, 1/2-1/2

Strange piece development, yet keeps advantage
Bronstein vs Portisch, 1961 
(B12) Caro-Kann Defense, 49 moves, 1/2-1/2

<37.Qg7+> wins
Bronstein vs Vasiukov, 1961 
(B60) Sicilian, Richter-Rauzer, 52 moves, 1/2-1/2

Heavy pressure from Korchnoi
Korchnoi vs Bronstein, 1962 
(D25) Queen's Gambit Accepted, 76 moves, 1/2-1/2

Najdorf 17..f4! 29.Rf8!
Stein vs Bronstein, 1962 
(B97) Sicilian, Najdorf, 41 moves, 1/2-1/2

Larsen breaks loose from the cage
Larsen vs Bronstein, 1962 
(B51) Sicilian, Canal-Sokolsky (Rossolimo) Attack, 61 moves, 1-0

Petrosian survives another assault
Bronstein vs Petrosian, 1963 
(C34) King's Gambit Accepted, 23 moves, 1/2-1/2

Plat on! Bronstein's better...
Smyslov vs Bronstein, 1964 
(A05) Reti Opening, 31 moves, 1/2-1/2

KID
Bronstein vs Larsen, 1964 
(E75) King's Indian, Averbakh, Main line, 30 moves, 0-1

Interesting options on moves 14/22
Bronstein vs Kholmov, 1964 
(E19) Queen's Indian, Old Main line, 9.Qxc3, 27 moves, 1/2-1/2

Heavy pressure on Benko
Benko vs Bronstein, 1964 
(A13) English, 73 moves, 1/2-1/2

Missed opportunity?
G Tringov vs Bronstein, 1964 
(C16) French, Winawer, 50 moves, 1/2-1/2

Remarkable play from Portisch
Bronstein vs Portisch, 1964 
(C11) French, 41 moves, 1/2-1/2

Chaos in the Winawer
Bronstein vs Uhlmann, 1965 
(C18) French, Winawer, 38 moves, 1/2-1/2

<37..Rxd4> <39..Rc6>
Larsen vs Bronstein, 1965 
(A07) King's Indian Attack, 42 moves, 1/2-1/2

TN 9.Nf5, missed opportunity to turn the screws
Bronstein vs Stein, 1965 
(B35) Sicilian, Accelerated Fianchetto, Modern Variation with Bc4, 36 moves, 1/2-1/2

Inviting Tal to attack his king
Tal vs Bronstein, 1966 
(C07) French, Tarrasch, 34 moves, 1/2-1/2

Some more play left
Bronstein vs Tal, 1966 
(C77) Ruy Lopez, 26 moves, 1/2-1/2

16.Rac1; 19.Nf5
Bronstein vs Petrosian, 1967 
(B17) Caro-Kann, Steinitz Variation, 33 moves, 1/2-1/2

Castling q-side in the Dutch.
Botvinnik vs Bronstein, 1967 
(A85) Dutch, with c4 & Nc3, 46 moves, 1/2-1/2

Strange line to consider
Bronstein vs Simagin, 1967 
(A45) Queen's Pawn Game, 8 moves, 1/2-1/2

A mishandled advantage?
Portisch vs Bronstein, 1967 
(A04) Reti Opening, 41 moves, 1/2-1/2

8..Nxd5!? <17..Rac8 18.Kb1 Rfd8 with strong advantage!>
Furman vs Bronstein, 1967 
(D50) Queen's Gambit Declined, 42 moves, 1-0

Different interpretation of his own system
Vasiukov vs Bronstein, 1967 
(B16) Caro-Kann, Bronstein-Larsen Variation, 46 moves, 1/2-1/2

<20..Nxd4>
A Jongsma vs Bronstein, 1968 
(B10) Caro-Kann, 41 moves, 1/2-1/2

Sicilian Lowenthal <19..Rxh4!>
Geller vs Bronstein, 1968 
(B32) Sicilian, 37 moves, 1-0

French Tarrasch <18.Nf3!>
Bronstein vs Gulko, 1968 
(C07) French, Tarrasch, 40 moves, 0-1

Stein harasses the attacker
Bronstein vs Stein, 1968 
(B31) Sicilian, Rossolimo Variation, 75 moves, 1/2-1/2

Positional pressure, Stein holds
Bronstein vs Stein, 1969 
(B61) Sicilian, Richter-Rauzer, Larsen Variation, 7.Qd2, 56 moves, 1/2-1/2

The French Kid
Fischer vs Bronstein, 1970  
(C16) French, Winawer, 47 moves, 1/2-1/2

Time, or other means
Petrosian vs Bronstein, 1970 
(A80) Dutch, 34 moves, 1-0

Rare Preparation
Korchnoi vs Bronstein, 1970 
(E60) King's Indian Defense, 35 moves, 1/2-1/2

Interesting perpetual
Stein vs Bronstein, 1971 
(A90) Dutch, 46 moves, 1/2-1/2

An unusual Alekhine defense
Krogius vs Bronstein, 1971 
(B02) Alekhine's Defense, 16 moves, 1/2-1/2

<31..e3!>
Karpov vs Bronstein, 1971 
(B92) Sicilian, Najdorf, Opocensky Variation, 53 moves, 1-0

Bronstein blinks <15.Rf3!?>
Bronstein vs Korchnoi, 1971 
(B87) Sicilian, Fischer-Sozin with ...a6 and ...b5, 61 moves, 0-1

38..Bxh4
N Rashkovsky vs Bronstein, 1972 
(B02) Alekhine's Defense, 51 moves, 1/2-1/2

<23..h5!?>
Larsen vs Bronstein, 1972 
(A01) Nimzovich-Larsen Attack, 79 moves, 1/2-1/2

Unique KIA defense, yet <35.Ne5> wins
Bronstein vs Petrosian, 1972 
(A07) King's Indian Attack, 41 moves, 1/2-1/2

21..f5!, <52..g4!>
Savon vs Bronstein, 1973 
(C96) Ruy Lopez, Closed, 60 moves, 1/2-1/2

<33.d6!>
Bronstein vs Geller, 1975 
(C91) Ruy Lopez, Closed, 57 moves, 1/2-1/2

<11..h4> <26..Be4> <37..Rxf4>
A Vitolinsh vs Bronstein, 1975 
(C16) French, Winawer, 41 moves, 1-0

<23..Ne3>; 27..Bc4
Sax vs Bronstein, 1977 
(C16) French, Winawer, 31 moves, 1/2-1/2

<29.Rd1>
Bronstein vs Velimirovic, 1977 
(B30) Sicilian, 48 moves, 1/2-1/2

QID 15..b5
Tal vs Bronstein, 1981 
(E15) Queen's Indian, 36 moves, 1/2-1/2

23..Ngf5
Tal vs Bronstein, 1982 
(A09) Reti Opening, 54 moves, 1/2-1/2

Q-trap? 3-rank play
N Rashkovsky vs Bronstein, 1982
(E21) Nimzo-Indian, Three Knights, 28 moves, 1/2-1/2

17..Bd4?! <25..Qxd4!> 28.d5!
Tal vs Bronstein, 1982 
(E12) Queen's Indian, 44 moves, 1-0

<21.Be4> blows up Tal's idea
Bronstein vs Tal, 1982 
(B70) Sicilian, Dragon Variation, 41 moves, 0-1

Getting his prefered pawn structure in the Caro
Rozentalis vs Bronstein, 1983 
(B13) Caro-Kann, Exchange, 72 moves, 1/2-1/2

<20..Qc6!> hits c2, protects d6, prepares ..Rc8 or ..Ra8
Adams vs Bronstein, 1989 
(C08) French, Tarrasch, Open, 4.ed ed, 37 moves, 1-0

Winning altenatives on move 37.
I Gurevich vs Bronstein, 1992 
(C69) Ruy Lopez, Exchange, Gligoric Variation, 53 moves, 1-0

Throwing off computer evaluations
Deep Thought vs Bronstein, 1992 
(E80) King's Indian, Samisch Variation, 41 moves, 1/2-1/2

<30.Bf1> and draws on move <32>
Bronstein vs Shirov, 1992 
(A07) King's Indian Attack, 32 moves, 0-1

Missed crushing victory after <33.f6>
Bronstein vs Deep Thought, 1992 
(D21) Queen's Gambit Accepted, 52 moves, 0-1

From Gambit with Love
Hort vs Bronstein, 1994 
(A02) Bird's Opening, 19 moves, 1/2-1/2

Queen and three pawns vs two rooks and bishop 57..Be5!?
N Rashkovsky vs Bronstein, 1995 
(A49) King's Indian, Fianchetto without c4, 65 moves, 1/2-1/2

22.f5! <32.Rd6!>
Bronstein vs G Flear, 1995 
(C82) Ruy Lopez, Open, 50 moves, 1/2-1/2

N-L Attack
Deep Blue vs Bronstein, 1996 
(A00) Uncommon Opening, 46 moves, 1-0

For future review
Nijboer vs Bronstein, 1997 
(C16) French, Winawer, 53 moves, 1-0

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