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Accidents in the opening
Compiled by trh6upsz
--*--

A collection of very short games played and lost by strong players.

Removing the guard
K Kulaots vs J Geller, 2002 
(C45) Scotch Game, 8 moves, 1-0

Massacre in Warsaw
J Sajtar vs Sliwa, 1947 
(D23) Queen's Gambit Accepted, 12 moves, 1-0

The Knightmare with a little help from the Bishop
Onischuk vs A Kovacevic, 1991 
(A27) English, Three Knights System, 12 moves, 1-0

Blowback in the Sicilian counter-attack
K Treybal vs J Rejfir, 1933 
(B40) Sicilian, 11 moves, 1-0

Failed fork
K Treybal vs J Foltys, 1936 
(C02) French, Advance, 9 moves, 0-1

Little combination winning a Pawn .... and the game
K Spraggett vs Smyslov, 1985 
(E11) Bogo-Indian Defense, 14 moves, 0-1

12.Nd5!!
Korchnoi vs Spassky, 1948 
(B71) Sicilian, Dragon, Levenfish Variation, 12 moves, 1-0

Discovered attack
Korchnoi vs Simagin, 1960 
(E46) Nimzo-Indian, 9 moves, 1-0

Viktor the Terrible in action
S Tatai vs Korchnoi, 1978 
(C01) French, Exchange, 14 moves, 0-1

Dubious opening backfired
Szabo vs O'Kelly, 1946 
(D06) Queen's Gambit Declined, 16 moves, 1-0

Lady in distress
V Chekhov vs Razuvaev, 1982 
(A04) Reti Opening, 11 moves, 1-0

Failed pin
T Pirttimaki vs V Chekhov, 1983 
(B03) Alekhine's Defense, 9 moves, 0-1

Oops!
E Ghaem Maghami vs V Chekhov, 2000 
(A04) Reti Opening, 14 moves, 1-0

Omitted move
J Lokvenc vs Pachman, 1943 
(E33) Nimzo-Indian, Classical, 8 moves, 1-0

Benoni memento
Smejkal vs S Tatai, 1973 
(A62) Benoni, Fianchetto Variation, 14 moves, 1-0

Trapped Rook
Tal vs Uhlmann, 1970 
(A00) Uncommon Opening, 14 moves, 1-0

Fork and pin - easy win
Uhlmann vs B Andersen, 1964 
(E12) Queen's Indian, 9 moves, 1-0

Fork in 2
Sliwa vs Uhlmann, 1956 
(E80) King's Indian, Samisch Variation, 15 moves, 1-0

Never ignore moves of your opponent!
Bronstein vs Uhlmann, 1971 
(A07) King's Indian Attack, 15 moves, 1-0

Bishop fork
Velimirovic vs H Ree, 1994 
(C13) French, 12 moves, 1-0

Discovered attack
Velimirovic vs N Ristovic, 1995 
(C13) French, 10 moves, 1-0

French havoc
Tal vs Vaganian, 1973 
(C04) French, Tarrasch, Guimard Main line, 12 moves, 1-0

How not to play the Vienna Game
J Gallagher vs Miles, 1990 
(C28) Vienna Game, 11 moves, 0-1

To memorize book lines is good, to think about them is better!
A Zapata vs Anand, 1988 
(C42) Petrov Defense, 6 moves, 1-0

Black Death on Black Fields
Adorjan vs S Reuben, 1973 
(B30) Sicilian, 15 moves, 1-0

The Rook Is Gone with the Wind
P Petran vs Adorjan, 1985 
(E15) Queen's Indian, 12 moves, 0-1

The most effective losing move
P Theon vs G Andruet, 1986 
(B23) Sicilian, Closed, 13 moves, 1-0

Helpmate to the Queen.
Timman vs Polugaevsky, 1973 
(B96) Sicilian, Najdorf, 15 moves, 1-0

Sicilian Vespers
B Kurajica vs Velimirovic, 1972 
(B50) Sicilian, 15 moves, 1-0

A little variation on the theme of Fool's Mate
R Nicevski vs Ljubojevic, 1975 
(B51) Sicilian, Canal-Sokolsky (Rossolimo) Attack, 12 moves, 1-0

Havoc in Jaenisch Gambit
V Liberzon vs A Geller, 1960 
(C63) Ruy Lopez, Schliemann Defense, 14 moves, 1-0

Overlooked cross-pin
Shirov vs Bareev, 1994 
(C00) French Defense, 15 moves, 1-0

Poisoned Bishop
K Aseev vs Bronstein, 1982 
(B16) Caro-Kann, Bronstein-Larsen Variation, 14 moves, 0-1

Sacrificed Pawn, lost piece
Bogoljubov vs L Prokes, 1922 
(A52) Budapest Gambit, 14 moves, 1-0

Discovered attack and weak back rank
B Andonov vs Lputian, 1987 
(A09) Reti Opening, 12 moves, 0-1

Watch the Queen, not Arlette!
A van Weersel vs F Kuijpers, 2000 
(C00) French Defense, 10 moves, 1-0

The Desolation of Smaug
I De Los Santos vs S Polgar, 1990 
(B27) Sicilian, 11 moves, 0-1

Mess in the French
C Cranbourne vs Timoshenko, 1991 
(C18) French, Winawer, 14 moves, 1-0

Grab Grab's Queen...:-)
W Schmidt vs B Grabarczyk, 1991 
(D07) Queen's Gambit Declined, Chigorin Defense, 10 moves, 1-0

Fork in Sveshnikov's domain
Kholmov vs Sveshnikov, 1986 
(B32) Sicilian, 11 moves, 0-1

Why not defend the pawn in the Queen's Gambit Accepted
Krasenkow vs Kharlov, 1991 
(D21) Queen's Gambit Accepted, 12 moves, 1-0

Sicilian Catastrophe
Smirin vs Y Afek, 1992 
(B30) Sicilian, 10 moves, 1-0

11...Bxg2?? - a successful suicide
V Beim vs E Schmittdiel, 2002 
(A25) English, 14 moves, 1-0

End of Pawneater
V Yemelin vs Jobava, 2003 
(B60) Sicilian, Richter-Rauzer, 10 moves, 1-0

Pin Is Win
B Socko vs S Ernst, 2002 
(C67) Ruy Lopez, 14 moves, 1-0

Blowback in the centre
Barsov vs A Al-Rakib, 2003 
(D45) Queen's Gambit Declined Semi-Slav, 14 moves, 1-0

Blitzkrieg
M Sabol vs J Votava, 1995 
(A45) Queen's Pawn Game, 10 moves, 1-0

Sin of Sicilian Incorrectness
A Beliavsky vs Quinteros, 1986 
(B27) Sicilian, 15 moves, 1-0

Olympic quickie
A Beliavsky vs M Stean, 1982 
(B97) Sicilian, Najdorf, 15 moves, 1-0

Springer am Rande...
Vasiukov vs Razuvaev, 1972 
(B06) Robatsch, 8 moves, 1-0

Steinitz would have known better what to play...
Vasiukov vs A Zaitsev, 1968 
(B13) Caro-Kann, Exchange, 15 moves, 1-0

9...Ne5?
Vasiukov vs A Yasseen, 1992 
(B53) Sicilian, 10 moves, 1-0

Smothered mate to the Queen
Vasiukov vs S Giterman, 1960 
(C64) Ruy Lopez, Classical, 8 moves, 1-0

Two hanging pieces
Gligoric vs K Langeweg, 1971 
(D80) Grunfeld, 12 moves, 1-0

Caro-Kann[ot]
Gligoric vs R Toran, 1952 
(B10) Caro-Kann, 14 moves, 1-0

Surprizing 8...Nxd7!!
Razuvaev vs Kupreichik, 1970 
(A27) English, Three Knights System, 15 moves, 0-1

Jugulate Gruenfeld
Razuvaev vs L Gutman, 1976 
(D86) Grunfeld, Exchange, 15 moves, 1-0

Not a premature resignation
Razuvaev vs Geller, 1988 
(E04) Catalan, Open, 5.Nf3, 15 moves, 1-0

Lost Rook
Razuvaev vs D Gurevich, 1996 
(A13) English, 15 moves, 1-0

Traxler and the burnt pine
J Sosna vs M Muron, 1987 
(C57) Two Knights, 15 moves, 0-1

Lovely shot
Plachetka vs L Zinn, 1974 
(A04) Reti Opening, 13 moves, 1-0

Double attack
Plachetka vs J Pribyl, 1982 
(B29) Sicilian, Nimzovich-Rubinstein, 12 moves, 0-1

English trap
P Petek vs L Ptacnikova, 1995 
(A27) English, Three Knights System, 9 moves, 1-0

14...Nxb4!! turns white position in completely bound wreckage
Jobava vs Kramnik, 2006 
(E12) Queen's Indian, 15 moves, 0-1

Pirc-lover's Nightmare
Kramnik vs Svidler, 2004 
(A40) Queen's Pawn Game, 15 moves, 1-0

15.Qxc6+! - lovely mating shot
Benjamin vs N Gamboa, 1995 
(A18) English, Mikenas-Carls, 15 moves, 1-0

Queen's suicide.
Bronstein vs D Tomic, 1970 
(B31) Sicilian, Rossolimo Variation, 12 moves, 1-0

Pierced by Pierce
F J Perez vs Alekhine, 1943 
(C25) Vienna, 12 moves, 1-0

Botvinnik's "incomplete analysis" trap
Botvinnik vs Spielmann, 1935 
(B13) Caro-Kann, Exchange, 12 moves, 1-0

Desperado
J Perlis vs Tartakower, 1907 
(B22) Sicilian, Alapin, 11 moves, 0-1

Power of double-check
Reti vs Tartakower, 1910 
(B15) Caro-Kann, 11 moves, 1-0

Tartakower's Variation
Tartakower vs J Mieses, 1925 
(A82) Dutch, Staunton Gambit, 15 moves, 1-0

Too many hanging pieces
Tartakower vs G Fuster, 1948 
(D20) Queen's Gambit Accepted, 13 moves, 1-0

Sideline to disaster
Yermolinsky vs Filippov, 2005 
(A04) Reti Opening, 14 moves, 0-1

Smothered Queen
Blatny vs T Likavsky, 2001 
(A48) King's Indian, 8 moves, 1-0

Queen fork
Balashov vs Botvinnik, 1970 
(B14) Caro-Kann, Panov-Botvinnik Attack, 14 moves, 0-1

Failed combo
Balashov vs V S Zhidkov, 1972 
(B02) Alekhine's Defense, 15 moves, 0-1

Trapped Lady
L Basin vs Balashov, 1988 
(E73) King's Indian, 13 moves, 1-0

Lady in distress once again
A Lugovoi vs Balashov, 2003 
(E52) Nimzo-Indian, 4.e3, Main line with ...b6, 12 moves, 1-0

Interference with double attack
Hort vs V Zheliandinov, 1967 
(C69) Ruy Lopez, Exchange, Gligoric Variation, 12 moves, 1-0

Lightning on light squares
W Von Holzhausen vs Tarrasch, 1912 
(C55) Two Knights Defense, 14 moves, 1-0

How not to play Philidor for beginners.
N Karaklajic vs A Fuderer, 1955 
(C41) Philidor Defense, 7 moves, 1-0

How not to play Philidor for experts.
Van der Wiel vs J van Baarle, 1983 
(C41) Philidor Defense, 16 moves, 1-0

Long-range Queen's Fork
L Christiansen vs Karpov, 1993 
(E12) Queen's Indian, 12 moves, 1-0

First class blunder.
J Mieses vs Euwe, 1921 
(C45) Scotch Game, 12 moves, 1-0

Running into mating net.
Anderssen vs M Lange, 1859 
(C61) Ruy Lopez, Bird's Defense, 19 moves, 0-1

Compromised Defense compromised.
G Neumann vs Anderssen, 1865 
(C52) Evans Gambit, 15 moves, 1-0

Trapped in crossfire
Zukertort vs Anderssen, 1865 
(C60) Ruy Lopez, 12 moves, 1-0

Classic sac to open h-file
C Mayet vs Anderssen, 1851 
(C64) Ruy Lopez, Classical, 12 moves, 0-1

Kicked out defender
Anderssen vs L Eichborn, 1854 
(C33) King's Gambit Accepted, 13 moves, 0-1

Waiting for disaster
Anderssen vs E Schallopp, 1864 
(C31) King's Gambit Declined, Falkbeer Counter Gambit, 14 moves, 1-0

How not to play Sicilian
E Lubarsky vs L Christiansen, 1982 
(B57) Sicilian, 10 moves, 1-0

Rook Under Lock
P Frydman vs Najdorf, 1938 
(D16) Queen's Gambit Declined Slav, 15 moves, 1-0

Overlooked pin
Najdorf vs H Rossetto, 1956 
(E67) King's Indian, Fianchetto, 15 moves, 1-0

Bad idea busted by zwischenzug
L Palau vs Najdorf, 1939 
(B24) Sicilian, Closed, 12 moves, 0-1

Noteless mistake led to notable disaster
D Kumaran vs Miles, 1993 
(D02) Queen's Pawn Game, 15 moves, 1-0

Trapped Queen
Cochrane vs Staunton, 1843 
(B20) Sicilian, 9 moves, 0-1

Little combo busted by great cross-pin
Robatsch vs Jansa, 1974 
(A10) English, 14 moves, 1-0

Originality Gone Astray
Boleslavsky vs B Gurgenidze, 1960 
(B32) Sicilian, 13 moves, 1-0

When Alekhine works...
Z Radojevic vs Bagirov, 1973 
(B02) Alekhine's Defense, 13 moves, 0-1

Berlin Ementhal Wall
Ljubojevic vs R Calvo Minguez, 1973 
(C67) Ruy Lopez, 14 moves, 1-0

Sicilian Razgrom
Bronstein vs A Kinzel, 1967
(B45) Sicilian, Taimanov, 17 moves, 1-0

Olympic Record
R G Wade vs A Kinzel, 1962 
(D00) Queen's Pawn Game, 9 moves, 1-0

Power of Double-check
Koltanowski vs A Dunkelblum, 1923 
(B18) Caro-Kann, Classical, 15 moves, 1-0

Careless Zwischenzug
S Tatai vs R Debarnot, 1977 
(E92) King's Indian, 16 moves, 0-1

Lost in Terra Incognita
Hort vs P Ostermeyer, 1982 
(D01) Richter-Veresov Attack, 14 moves, 1-0

How not to play Englesh for black
Adorjan vs L Zsinka, 1982 
(A32) English, Symmetrical Variation, 12 moves, 1-0

Overlooked Zwischenzug
G Welling vs R Douven, 1982 
(C30) King's Gambit Declined, 9 moves, 1-0

13.Bf4?? - Effective Self-pinning
Huebner vs Tal, 1982 
(C69) Ruy Lopez, Exchange, Gligoric Variation, 13 moves, 0-1

Leaving a piece en prise
J Lechtynsky vs E Prandstetter, 1983 
(E17) Queen's Indian, 14 moves, 1-0

Deadly Check Overlooked
Mason vs Chigorin, 1889 
(D00) Queen's Pawn Game, 13 moves, 1-0

Subtle Killer
Chigorin vs C Walbrodt, 1896 
(C31) King's Gambit Declined, Falkbeer Counter Gambit, 13 moves, 1-0

Chigorin's Bad Day
Chigorin vs Burn, 1905 
(C30) King's Gambit Declined, 13 moves, 0-1

Victim of Mieses' Speciality
J Mieses vs Chigorin, 1906 
(C23) Bishop's Opening, 15 moves, 1-0

Leap into a mating net.
Chigorin vs Gossip, 1889 
(C44) King's Pawn Game, 15 moves, 1-0

Trapped Knight
J Mieses vs Bogoljubov, 1920 
(B20) Sicilian, 15 moves, 1-0

11...Nd5?! and 12...Rxd5? led to forced loss of material.
J Mieses vs L Forgacs, 1909 
(C44) King's Pawn Game, 13 moves, 1-0

Unorthodox Opening Busted in Classic Style
J Mieses vs Tarrasch, 1920 
(B20) Sicilian, 14 moves, 0-1

Poorly Covered Bishop
J D Tresling vs Swiderski, 1899 
(C28) Vienna Game, 12 moves, 1-0

Too Automatic Reply
Tarrasch vs Alapin, 1889 
(C42) Petrov Defense, 6 moves, 1-0

12...Qc7? allowed 13.e5! with decisive effect
B Fleissig vs J Bauer, 1889 
(B32) Sicilian, 15 moves, 1-0

Miscalculated Complications
G Neumann vs J Minckwitz, 1870 
(C42) Petrov Defense, 15 moves, 1-0

Smothered mate in the 6th move
Keres vs E Arlamowski, 1950 
(B10) Caro-Kann, 6 moves, 1-0

Trapped Queen
V Castaldi vs Reshevsky, 1950 
(A06) Reti Opening, 13 moves, 0-1

Budapest mess
J F Donovan vs A Bisguier, 1950 
(A51) Budapest Gambit, 14 moves, 0-1

Why 6...Bg7 against the Levenfish is not a good idea
E Pedersen vs A Zografakis, 1950 
(B71) Sicilian, Dragon, Levenfish Variation, 10 moves, 1-0

Failed Pin
M Charosh vs L Jaffe, 1936 
(A43) Old Benoni, 8 moves, 1-0

The Queen trapped again
R Nezhmetdinov vs A I Konstantinov, 1936 
(C02) French, Advance, 14 moves, 1-0

Castling into Black's tactical shot
G van Doesburgh vs Stahlberg, 1936 
(C01) French, Exchange, 12 moves, 0-1

Careless intrusion with witty refutation
J Bednarski vs K Burger, 1978 
(C05) French, Tarrasch, 13 moves, 1-0

Marshall not dead
Marshall vs F Duz-Khotimirsky, 1911 
(D21) Queen's Gambit Accepted, 13 moves, 1-0

Queen trapped in the middle of board
J Krejcik vs Reti, 1922 
(D06) Queen's Gambit Declined, 10 moves, 1-0

Mexico Defense
Marshall vs Torre, 1925 
(A50) Queen's Pawn Game, 7 moves, 0-1

Running into the Stonewall
Gruenfeld vs Torre, 1925 
(A90) Dutch, 13 moves, 0-1

Queen Fork
P Johner vs K Havasi, 1925 
(E10) Queen's Pawn Game, 15 moves, 1-0

Tactical pattern worth to remember
Ruy Lopez vs G da Cutri, 1560 
(C30) King's Gambit Declined, 12 moves, 1-0

Classical motif with sac of Bishop on f7
von der Lasa vs P Bilguer, 1837 
(D20) Queen's Gambit Accepted, 13 moves, 1-0

Failed pin a la Legal
Horwitz vs Bledow, 1837 
(C53) Giuoco Piano, 14 moves, 0-1

The Last But One Mistake Wins
Cochrane vs Saint-Amant, 1842 
(B06) Robatsch, 14 moves, 0-1

7...Qh5? invited lovely shot
Falkbeer vs Zytogorski, 1855
(C21) Center Game, 14 moves, 1-0

Not So Iron Tigran
Kotov vs Petrosian, 1949 
(D35) Queen's Gambit Declined, 13 moves, 1-0

Staunton Backfired
J Sikora-Lerch vs J Lechtynsky, 1972 
(A82) Dutch, Staunton Gambit, 12 moves, 0-1

Trapped Bishop
J Lechtynsky vs Z Cakl, 2002 
(D30) Queen's Gambit Declined, 14 moves, 1-0

Trapped Bishop
J Lechtynsky vs M Tupy, 1998 
(E60) King's Indian Defense, 14 moves, 1-0

Poisoned Pawn Eaten, Poisoner Beaten!
Kasparov vs Taimanov, 1978 
(A06) Reti Opening, 14 moves, 1-0

Playing with a Fire
Fischer vs C Garcia Palermo, 1970 
(C31) King's Gambit Declined, Falkbeer Counter Gambit, 15 moves, 0-1

Discovered Garde
Huebner vs Kasparov, 1992 
(D45) Queen's Gambit Declined Semi-Slav, 15 moves, 0-1

Trapped Queen
Steinitz vs Bird, 1866 
(C10) French, 12 moves, 1-0

Good pin, quick win!
G Kozlova vs E Guseva, 1967 
(D20) Queen's Gambit Accepted, 10 moves, 1-0

Double Attack
Timman vs R Cosulich, 1974 
(E45) Nimzo-Indian, 4.e3, Bronstein (Byrne) Variation, 7 moves, 1-0

Sac for a quick loss.
Timman vs C A Evans, 1970 
(A25) English, 13 moves, 1-0

Queen trapped in Steinitz's Variation of Scotch Game
P Frazer vs Taubenhaus, 1888 
(C45) Scotch Game, 8 moves, 1-0

Trapped Queen (once again)
Robatsch vs S Garcia Martinez, 1974 
(A40) Queen's Pawn Game, 14 moves, 1-0

Unusual opening setup caught black off guard
Miles vs G Wall, 1999 
(A10) English, 15 moves, 1-0

Bravado attack with helpmate
Burn vs J Owen, 1874 
(B07) Pirc, 14 moves, 1-0

Lady in distress
R Dieks vs J G van Eybergen, 1979 
(A09) Reti Opening, 8 moves, 1-0

Convincing refutation of 7...Bxf3 and 8...Qh4+
Spielmann vs Flamberg, 1914 
(C29) Vienna Gambit, 15 moves, 1-0

8.Na3?? loses a piece
M Bluemich vs J Lokvenc, 1926 
(A06) Reti Opening, 9 moves, 0-1

KID Disaster
Petrosian vs N Rashkovsky, 1974 
(E97) King's Indian, 17 moves, 0-1

Bad day in Karlsbad
Euwe vs Colle, 1929 
(E16) Queen's Indian, 13 moves, 1-0

Euwe's Worst Game
Euwe vs W J Muhring, 1947 
(A04) Reti Opening, 13 moves, 0-1

161 games

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