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David Bronstein vs Alexander Kotov
Saltsjobaden Interzonal (1948), Stockholm SWE, rd 2, Jul-18
Gruenfeld Defense: Exchange. Spassky Variation (D87)  ·  1-0

ANALYSIS [x]

FEN COPIED

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Given 6 times; par: 115 [what's this?]

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Kibitzer's Corner
Jul-21-05  Resignation Trap: Botvinnik: "Grunfeld Defense with Grigory Levenfish 's Bc4. Gained a slightly better endgame (without chances for the opponent). which he 'pressed' in Levenfish style!!!"
Aug-20-05  Bobwhoosta: I don't know much theory on this opening, but it seems that ...9.cxd4 was a bit premature. I don't know what would be a better move though, maybe ...bg4 f3? I just don't see where the bishop to go after this, and I see the problem in nc6 d5, so maybe cxd4 is best... any comments?
Jan-18-06  suenteus po 147: Here's a patzer question: Why does Kotov play 23...Re8? Why not 23...Ke8? And then why does Bronstein follow up with 24.Qd7? I was playing through this game and those are the first moves played that I don't understand.
Jan-18-06  Gypsy: <suenteus po 147: ... Why not 23...Ke8?> 24.Bg5 f6 25.Qxg7 fxg5 26.Qxh7... I think.

As for <24.Qd7>: Right away, it prevents 24...Re7 because of 25.Rc8+. It also increases the general pressure to the point that Black decides to trade queens. Currently, White rook is kept off c7 by tactical means; but that can not be kept up forever.

Jan-18-06  suenteus po 147: Thanks, <Gypsy>! It was very hard for me to determine what Bronstein and Kotov were up based on the moves. I guess the pressure to exchange queens from Bronstein was based on his feeling that he had the better position...
Jan-18-06  Gypsy: Without the queen swap, Black would eventually ended up in a mating net (which, I am sure would have suitted Bronstein fine). After the queen swap, game enters a difficult endgame where White has better chances.

I am not sure why Kotov did not go for 42...Ra7+ 43.Kb4 Rxa2 ...


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Was 42...Rd7 Kotov's last move before adjournement; or was it the sealed move? Did Kotov analyse 42...Ra7 to a loss? In fact, how does White win from the diagram?

May-07-12  zydeco: Some surprising moves in this game. I'm not sure what the idea is with 33.Rg8. 35....b5 seems like a really bad idea, inviting white to carry out his plan of trading bishops since black no longer has the option of ...a5.
May-07-18
Premium Chessgames Member
  Check It Out: I would have been nervous about trapping my rook with 33.Rg8; whats the point of that?
Jul-28-18  The17thPawn: <Gypsy> - After looking at your comments, I see no way for white to make progress. Well spotted! Kotov missed his chance to hold the game.
Aug-29-24
Premium Chessgames Member
  PaulPetrovitj: @Gypsy: A couple of comments based on the Swedish tournament book, by GM Stahlberg.
The game was adjourned after 41.-, a5ch.
On the 42nd move: "Simpler was 42.-, Ra7+ 43. Kb4 Ra4+ 44. Kc3 Rxa2 45. Rd8 Ra3+ 46. Kd2 b4 47. Rd6+ Kb5 48. Rxe6 Kc4 49. Rd6 b3 50. e6 Ra2+ 51. Kc1 Re2 52. d5 b2+ 53. Kb1 Kb3 54. Rb6+ Kc 55. Rc6+ Kb3 with a draw.! A long variation but it seems to be correct imo. Later on, 47.-, Kf3 is a mistake due to Kotov overlooking White's 50th move. Instead Stahlberg gives 47.-, Rb3+ 48. Kc4 Rxg3 as correct. E.g. 49. a5 Rg1 50. Re8 Kxf4 51. a6 Rc1+ or 51. Rxe6 Rc1+ etc.

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