chessgames.com
Members · Prefs · Laboratory · Collections · Openings · Endgames · Sacrifices · History · Search Kibitzing · Kibitzer's Café · Chessforums · Tournament Index · Players · Kibitzing

Chessgames premium membership fee will increase to $39 per year effective June 15, 2023. Enroll Now!

Alexander Shabalov vs Varuzhan Akobian
United States Championship (2003), Seattle, WA USA, rd 9, Jan-18
French Defense: Advance. Lputian Variation (C02)  ·  1-0

ANALYSIS [x]

FEN COPIED

Click Here to play Guess-the-Move
Given 2 times; par: 112 [what's this?]

explore this opening
find similar games 11 more Shabalov/V Akobian games
sac: 35.Ng5+ 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]

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

Kibitzer's Corner
Jan-20-03
Premium Chessgames Member
  Sneaky: Shabalov has always been one of my favorite GMs. I'm glad he won the US Championship this year, he deserves it.
Jul-08-03  Checkmater7: 45... Rc6? because white can go 46-Qb7+ then king somewhere then 47-Qxc6 winning blacks rook other than that great game by Shabolav.
Sep-02-03  SicilianDragon: What??? 46...Bd7! not 46...Kf8?? (or Kd8)
May-29-04  morphynoman2: An interesting struggle full of fight ... but far from being perfect. White - probably unsoundly - sacrifices TWO pawns, in order to unbalance the game. Eventually White is rewarded for his bravery, Black fails to find the best move a number of times. Then a long ending follows, that was played with great clarity and energy by 'SHABBA.' This is also an interesting game, because it was clearly the game that decided the U.S. Championship. (Shabalov was part of a very large point-group that was tied for first headed into the last round.) The GM chose to fight, while everyone else made quick draws. From "Chess Express"
Jun-21-04  Whitehat1963: White's 31st, 32nd and 35th must have come as a surprise in such quick succession. Excellent game, and exceptional finish.
Jul-08-04  RonB52734: <Sneaky> <I'm glad he won the US Championship this year, he deserves it. > Ditto. He's a good man. I met him at a simul here in town (where he lives, btw!) and he mentioned he wouldn't be going to Libya, for which (among another thing or two) I'm proud of him.
Jul-08-04  RonB52734: My goodness, did I really write that sentence, and with two parentheticals to boot?
Feb-22-05  refutor: a really nice game, in all it's phases, from shabalov
May-04-10
Premium Chessgames Member
  GrahamClayton: A very impressive example of how to break through a Q v R + B "fortress". I liked how Shabalov maximised the position of his King before determining the correct sacrifice required to break open the fortress.
Jun-17-17  Howard: To be honest, it's a bit surprising that no one has yet pointed out that BOTH players got a $5,000 bonus for this game from the tournament organizers for their fighting spirit in this crucial last-round game.

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.

Featured in the Following Game Collections[what is this?]
Games Involving Queen Sacrifices
by Ron
shakman's favorite games - 3
by shakman
Shabba-dabba-do (The games of Alexander Shabalov
by VinnyRoo2002
Western Pennsylvania games and players
by RonB52734
Q vs R+B
from Master the endgames II by eXodus
...
from 52a_Middlegames - -> The Q vs RBP thing by whiteshark
56.Qf6!! Shabba-dabba-DOOH!!
from Attacking the King and the Kings of the attack. by syracrophy
just a nicely played game from start to finish
from gg uninstall by jovack
Forcing a struggle- (Shabalov takes the championship)
from When you have to win by SetNoEscapeOn
amadeus favorite games
by amadeus
Queen sacrifices- 2
by obrit
Opening : Complex : By Heart
from French Defense: Advance. Lputian Variation by ISeth
...
from 52a_Middlegames - -> The Q vs RBP thing by Jaredfchess
Ascend
from enog strolling along by enog
She Turns the Key X
by Sergio X Garcia
56.Qf6!! Shabba-dabba-DOOH!!
from Attacking the King and the Kings of the attack. by dheerajmohan

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 2001-2023, Chessgames Services LLC