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Efim Geller vs Mikhail Tal
Capablanca Memorial (1963), Havana CUB, rd 12, Sep-11
Spanish Game: Closed Variations (C84)  ·  0-1

ANALYSIS [x]

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sac: 38...h5 PGN: download | view | print Help: general | java-troubleshooting

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Kibitzer's Corner
Apr-26-06  Autoreparaturwerkbau: Unfortunately for Geller, 39.Nh6? was unsound, but he gave magnificent resistance after that anyway.
Jul-17-08  dTal: Tal was very strong in the endgame, sometimes overlooked because he rarely needed to go into the endgame!
Jul-17-08  littlefermat: Tal vs Hecht, 1962

Is another Tal game where he makes some spectacular sacrifices that lead to a better ending for white.

And I can't resist to mention

Lputian vs Kasparov, 1976

which is another fine game where the sacrifices lead to a better ending.

Feb-18-16
Premium Chessgames Member
  Retireborn: Geller could have forced a draw with 38.Nh6+ Kh8 39.Rc7 Nxc7 40.Nxf7+ Kg8 41.Nh6+ and perpetual. Dreaming of a win, he plays 38.Bc7? (expecting Nxc7 39.Nh6+) but 38...h5! knocks him back.

Still he fights to the end, and Tal has to avoid the last trap 87...Be3 88.Rf1! [threat 89.Rxf2] Nd4 89.Rxf2 Nf5+ 90.Rxf5 with a draw.

Feb-10-21  Whitehat1963: I would have played 77. Rxd6. Stockfish says it’s mate in however many moves later, but I still would have tried it.
Feb-10-21  Whitehat1963: How about 82. Rxe6 and forcing a mate with knight and bishop?

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