chessgames.com
Members · Prefs · Laboratory · Collections · Openings · Endgames · Sacrifices · History · Search Kibitzing · Kibitzer's Café · Chessforums · Tournament Index · Players · Kibitzing
Viktor Korchnoi vs Tigran Petrosian
Korchnoi - Petrosian Candidates Quarterfinal (1977), Il Ciocco ITA, rd 3, Mar-05
Catalan Opening: Open Defense. Classical Line (E05)  ·  1/2-1/2

ANALYSIS [x]

FEN COPIED

Annotations by Stockfish (Computer).      [35437 more games annotated by Stockfish]

explore this opening
find similar games 69 more Korchnoi/Petrosian games
PGN: download | view | print Help: general | java-troubleshooting

TIP: To access more information about the players (more games, favorite openings, statistics, sometimes a biography and photograph), click their highlighted names at the top of this page.

PGN Viewer:  What is this?
For help with this chess viewer, please see the Olga Chess Viewer Quickstart Guide.
PREMIUM MEMBERS CAN REQUEST COMPUTER ANALYSIS [more info]

THIS IS A COMPUTER ANNOTATED SCORE.   [CLICK HERE] FOR ORIGINAL.

Kibitzer's Corner
Dec-11-05  hayton3: In Edmar Mednis's fantastic book "Strategic Chess" he describes 5...dxc4 as a mistake. In the Open Catalan, characterised by Black taking on c4, he should make this capture either on move 4 or move 6 after he has castled. Taking on move 4 involves a rapid mobilisation of Black's queenside, while taking on move 6 was popularised by Karpov who demonstrated that after castling Black could take on c4 and then develop his pieces dynamically while White went about recapturing the pawn. Here Petrosian mixes up the both plans, loses an important tempo, goes down a pawn and thanks to some imprecise play by Korchnoi escapes with a draw.
Apr-11-15  Howard: 33...Rc3 ! was what helped equalize the position---sharp tactical play by Petrosian.
Feb-05-20  Howard: CL&R indicated that Korchnoi probably should have won this game. Stockfish seems to have confirmed that.
Feb-05-20  Petrosianic: <In Edmar Mednis's fantastic book "Strategic Chess" he describes 5...dxc4 as a mistake. In the Open Catalan, characterised by Black taking on c4, he should make this capture either on move 4 or move 6 after he has castled.>

He made the same comment when annotating the game for Chess Life & Review, but doesn't quite explain <why> it's wrong on Move 5. Surely, if 5...O-O 6. Nc3 dxc4, we have the exact same position by transposition. You say Black loses a tempo, but exactly where does he lose it? Mednis never shows the other line he's thinking of, so we can see the difference.

Feb-05-20
Premium Chessgames Member
  OhioChessFan: I knew without checking SF that 29. Rb8 was a mistake. I'm hard pressed to think of any good reason to play that
Feb-05-20  Petrosianic: The reason for Rb8 is to prepare to double rooks on the 8th, while preventing Black from kicking the Knight with b5.

NOTE: Create an account today to post replies and access other powerful features which are available only to registered users. Becoming a member is free, anonymous, and takes less than 1 minute! If you already have a username, then simply login login under your username now to join the discussion.

Please observe our posting guidelines:

  1. No obscene, racist, sexist, or profane language.
  2. No spamming, advertising, duplicate, or gibberish posts.
  3. No vitriolic or systematic personal attacks against other members.
  4. Nothing in violation of United States law.
  5. No cyberstalking or malicious posting of negative or private information (doxing/doxxing) of members.
  6. No trolling.
  7. The use of "sock puppet" accounts to circumvent disciplinary action taken by moderators, create a false impression of consensus or support, or stage conversations, is prohibited.
  8. Do not degrade Chessgames or any of it's staff/volunteers.

Please try to maintain a semblance of civility at all times.

Blow the Whistle

See something that violates our rules? Blow the whistle and inform a moderator.


NOTE: Please keep all discussion on-topic. This forum is for this specific game only. To discuss chess or this site in general, visit the Kibitzer's Café.

Messages posted by Chessgames members do not necessarily represent the views of Chessgames.com, its employees, or sponsors.
All moderator actions taken are ultimately at the sole discretion of the administration.

This game is type: CLASSICAL. Please report incorrect or missing information by submitting a correction slip to help us improve the quality of our content.

Home | About | Login | Logout | F.A.Q. | Profile | Preferences | Premium Membership | Kibitzer's Café | Biographer's Bistro | New Kibitzing | Chessforums | Tournament Index | Player Directory | Notable Games | World Chess Championships | Opening Explorer | Guess the Move | Game Collections | ChessBookie Game | Chessgames Challenge | Store | Privacy Notice | Contact Us

Copyright 2001-2025, Chessgames Services LLC