chessgames.com
Members · Prefs · Laboratory · Collections · Openings · Endgames · Sacrifices · History · Search Kibitzing · Kibitzer's Café · Chessforums · Tournament Index · Players · Kibitzing
Lev Polugaevsky vs John Nunn
"The Royal Nunnsuch" (game of the day Mar-20-2018)
European Team Championship (1980), Skara SWE, rd 1, Jan-20
Benoni Defense: Classical Variation. Czerniak Defense Tal Line (A77)  ·  0-1

ANALYSIS [x]

FEN COPIED

Click Here to play Guess-the-Move
Given 16 times; par: 39 [what's this?]

explore this opening
find similar games 7 more Polugaevsky/Nunn games
PGN: download | view | print Help: general | java-troubleshooting

TIP: You can learn a lot about this site (and chess in general) by reading the Chessgames Help Page. If you need help with premium features, please see the Premium Membership Help 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]

A COMPUTER ANNOTATED SCORE OF THIS GAME IS AVAILABLE.  [CLICK HERE]

Kibitzer's Corner
Nov-25-08  dotty hill: wonderful.

The premature 16. f4 ?! allows Nunn to break open white's defense and finish in style. It looks like the idea f4 is only possible after bringing the king in safety with 16. Kh1 then e.g. ... b5 17. f4 Ng4 18. Nf3 looks ok for white.

White looks quite lost at the latest after 26. f6 and 27. Qxh7 is suicidal. I like the variant 27. ... Re8 (essentially the same finish as in the game).

Oct-14-12  rapidcitychess: This game deserves more recognition.
Mar-20-18  RookFile: Black went "all in" for the attack. It was one thing when Fischer did this, but by this time, this line had been looked at for a number of years. There must have been some deep prep involved.
Mar-20-18  weary willy: Unless I am mistaken, played at exactly the same time as Miles beat Karpov. Nunn can count himself unlucky that almost all the publicity went to Miles.
Mar-20-18
Premium Chessgames Member
  al wazir: I'm not sure what the connection is between this game and the Royal Nonesuch, a scam staged by the King and the Duke in Mark Twain's _Huckleberry Finn_.
Mar-20-18  Honey Blend: 23. ♗a3!? might be worth a try, hoping for 23. ... dxc3? 24. ♗xd6+!


click for larger view

Now if 24. ... ♔g8, 25. gxh3+ wins.

Mar-20-18  Honey Blend: In the above line, 24. ... ♔g7 25. ♕xc3+ f6 26. gxh3+ looks even worse for Black.


click for larger view

Mar-20-18  mike1: Nunn is certainly underrated.
Isn't he still the only one with
GM titles in all disciplines?
Mar-20-18
Premium Chessgames Member
  offramp: <mike1: Isn't he still the only one with GM titles in all disciplines?>

That's right. He is now a DJ.

Mar-20-18  Ironmanth: Great game for all Benoni enthusiasts!
Mar-20-18  sfm: <mike1: Nunn is certainly underrated.> If you mean his numerical rating we have the one we deserve. As for being underappreciated, well, I have always thought he is absolutely terrific, a top contender in the "World Championship in Fearless and Exciting Chess". Very few players have such a list of notable games with bold and brilliant attacks.

- - -
People making puns on the phonetic similary between [cencored]

Mar-20-18  unrepentant: I need some help. What's wrong with 19. Kg1 ? I can't find a crusher. Thank you.
Mar-20-18  morfishine: I'm with <al wazir> on this one, there's no clever connection

However, this is a very good game that should probably have been left alone (as far as unwitty game titles go)

*****

Mar-20-18  weary willy: The Nunnpareil
Mar-20-18  eyalbd: Polugaevsky was probably satisfied with 20. ♕c1 after which the black Queen is trapped inside White's camp. Then came the shocking 20..♗h3!
Mar-20-18  lunchwithgina: A short but effective king walk by Nunn to cap a great attacking game....

nonesuch = a person or thing that is regarded as perfect or excellent. <weary_willy>: I like your suggestion of nunnpariel as well

Mar-20-18
Premium Chessgames Member
  Plaskett: Nunn is a DJ?

Will miracles never cease...?¿

Mar-20-18  ChessHigherCat: I think 23....f5 was too clever by half. He could have just played 23..Nd1 attacking the Queen, and Nunn can't do better than a draw with Bxg2 Rxg2 Qf1+ Rg1 Qf3+ etc.
Dec-09-24
Premium Chessgames Member
  PaulPetrovitj: @weary willy: You are absolutely right, played in the first round of the European Team Ch 1980 in Skara, Sweden. Together with some chess friends, I visited the event and watched this very game live - naturally I also noted the sensation at the first board, Miles beating Karpov, but I was so fascinated by this game that i focused on it. Great achievement by Nunn!

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.

<This page contains Editor Notes. Click here to read them.>

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