chessgames.com
Members · Prefs · Laboratory · Collections · Openings · Endgames · Sacrifices · History · Search Kibitzing · Kibitzer's Café · Chessforums · Tournament Index · Players · Kibitzing
Vasily Smyslov vs Efim Geller
USSR Championship (1955), Moscow URS, rd 9, Feb-25
Queen's Gambit Declined: Pseudo-Tarrasch Variation (D50)  ·  1-0

8
7
6
5
4
3
2
a
1
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
White to move.
ANALYSIS [x]
1-0

rnbqkbnr/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/RNBQKBNR w KQkq - 0 1
FEN COPIED

Click Here to play Guess-the-Move
Given 11 times; par: 65 [what's this?]

explore this opening
find similar games 55 more Smyslov/Geller games
PGN: download | view | print Help: general | java-troubleshooting

TIP: You can get computer analysis by clicking the "ENGINE" button below the game.

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]

Kibitzer's Corner
Jun-02-16
Premium Chessgames Member
  An Englishman: Good Evening: Incredibly, the database has nine games with this insane piece sacrifice by Black (see the position after move 11. Smyslov opts for the "laziest" defense--giving up a Rook!

Black hoped to salvage his stranded Knight by returning the Exchange, but White manages to corral the black beast anyway in the ending. It does seem surprising that Geller would play such an opening against such a player in such a tournament. Of course, he did eventually win the tournament...

Jun-02-16  SimonWebbsTiger: Checking ECO D, the piece sac has definitely been refuted according to analysis by Korchnoi.
Jun-22-20
Premium Chessgames Member
  Fusilli: <An Englishman> Insane sac indeed! Geller's exchange sac throws away the draw though. The computer indicates the simple 17...b6 18.Nf2 (if 18.Ne2 Rxd3+ followed by 19...Ba6+ and the knight does come out with good game for black) Ba6 19.Ne2 Rxd3+ 20.Nxd3 Rd8 21.Rxa1 Rxd3+ 22.Kc2 and this is as drawish as it gets.

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