[Event "Alekhine Memorial"] [Site "Moscow URS"] [Date "1975.10.??"] [Round "8"] [White "Mikhail Tal"] [Black "Michael Francis Stean"] [Result "1-0"] [Annotator "USER"] [Variant "Standard"] [ECO "D34"] [Opening "Tarrasch Defense: Classical Variation, Main Line"] [StudyName "Mikhail Tal Best Games"] [ChapterName "Mikhail Tal - Michael Francis Stean"] [Source "https://lichess.org/study/KJ5Vxrwu/jX9bhHah"] [Orientation "white"] { In his later years, despite constantly battling with severe health problems, Tal continued playing on a very high level. True, he never again really achieved notable success in the World Championship Cycle, but he was the regular participant in the elite tournaments and at some point even the holder of the longest undefeated streak of games (not something you would immediately associate with his style). --- Every now and then, of course, he would stun the chess world with one of his magical combinations - and I have decided to wrap up this article with two games from his "later" years. --- The first game we are going to examine is his game against English Grandmaster Michael Stean played at the Alekhine Memorial in Moscow in 1975. It wasn't one of Tal's most successful tournaments, but the following gem is arguably worth more than any tournament prize. } 1. Nf3 { A rare occurrence for Tal - opening with the Reti was not something he did every day } 1... Nf6 2. c4 c5 { But the game very quickly transposes to the English opening... } 3. Nc3 e6 4. g3 d5 5. cxd5 exd5 6. d4 Nc6 7. Bg2 Be7 8. O-O O-O 9. Bg5 { ...and then to one of the main variations of the Tarrasch Defence. This opening used to be very popular in the past (Kasparov famously used it with great effect in his own path to the World Championship Match), although nowadays it is not seen that often at the top level due to the strategic risk the isolated pawn involves (and due to the fact more reliable neutralizing options are available at Black's disposal). --- Still, it is a very reputable opening and especially popular at club level, so it is not a bad thing to see a game or two Model games in it if you are a 1.d4 player. } 9... cxd4 { To be honest, I always though this voluntary capture on d4 is somewhat premature, but now I see it is the most commonly played move in this position, so what do I exactly know. } 10. Nxd4 { Now we obtain a typical position for the Tarrasch Defence, where Black has an isolated pawn but often obtains reasonable dynamic chances in return. } 10... h6 11. Be3 Re8 12. Qb3 { This move increases the pressure on the d5 pawn and basically forces Black's next move. I am not 100% sure if it is beneficial to bring the knight closer to the juicy c4 square, even if this is the 2nd most common move in this position (have I mentioned I don't know that much at all about the Tarrasch Defence)? } 12... Na5 13. Qc2 { I guess one of the ideas behind having the queen on c2 is to be able to jump to f5 with the knight. } { [%cal Gc2f5] } 13... Bg4 { Another very typical Tarrasch Defence move, pressuring the potentially weak e2 square and activating the light -squared bishop. } 14. h3 { Immediately posing a question to the bishop. } { [%cal Rh3g4] } 14... Bd7 { The bishop is a bit passive here and it blocks the queen's communication with the d5 pawn so it can be labeled as an inaccuracy. } (14... Bh5 { It was probably better to try and get the bishop on g6 to harrass the queen on c2, even if after } 15. g4 Bg6 16. Nf5 { It is not such an easy task to get rid of the knight for the moment. Still, the computer insists the bishop will be more useful here in the long run - and it is also the main move on the master level these days. }) 15. Rad1 { Bringing the pieces in play and planning to siege the isolated pawn. } 15... Rc8 16. Nf5 Bf8 17. Bxd5 { Finally, the isolated pawn falls, but this is not the end of the world as Black still has a lot of activity, potentially. } 17... Re5? { But this move, naively hoping to win a piece by the means of a double attack, is a serious mistake as it overlooks a relatively basic tactic available at White's disposal. } { [%cal Re5f5,Re5d5] } 18. Nxh6+ { An "obvious" piece sacrifice, intending to use the pin on the a2-g8 diagonal to the maximum effect. Qg6 is coming next. } { [%cal Ra2g8,Gc2g6] } 18... gxh6 19. Qg6+ { The point of the combination was to utilize the pin to infiltrate with the queen and collect the f7 pawn as well. } { [%cal Rg6f7,Rd5f7] } 19... Kh8 20. Bxf7 { Now h6 is also weak and Black should be dead lost, objectively, although quite a few adventures lie in front of us. } 20... Rc6 { Trying to cover the 6th rank laterally. } { [%cal Gc6h6] } 21. Rd5? { But this is a bit too flashy. Tal overlooks a very powerful defensive resources available to Black in this position. } (21. Bxh6 { First of all, this simple capture on h6 was more than sufficient. After } 21... Bxh6 22. Qxh6+ Nh7 23. Qf4 { White has four (!) pawns for the piece, the pin on the d-file is annoying and the opponent's king is laid bare, so it is not at all surprising that White is completely winning. }) (21. Bf4 { This attack on the rook was a more sophisticated approach. The idea is to jump with the knight on d5 next after } 21... Re7 22. Nd5 { When White has a won position as the knight can't move - similarly as in the game. }) (21. Nd5 { Jumping with the knight was also possible, but it doesn't come with the tempo (attack on the rook on d5). }) 21... Qe7? { Returning the favour, although it is not surprising that Black goes wrong in such a complicated and dangerous position. Also, it is very understandable that Black wanted to sidestep the potential pin on the d-file. } (21... Rxe3 { It was paramount to eliminate the strong dark-squared bishop that will cause so much trouble in the actual game. After } 22. fxe3 Bg7 { Black is very solid and the outcome of the game will be completely unclear. }) (21... Re7 { Trying to remove the attacked rook on e5, was also more resillient, although here the pin via } 22. Rfd1 { Is very strong - not to mention the hanging pawn on h6. }) (21... Nxd5 { The rook is, of course, immune, due to the mating threat on g8. } 22. Qg8# { This motif will be the central tactical motif in the incoming tactical melee. }) 22. Bd4 { Now everything is hanging on the long diagonal and Black doesn't have time to place the bishop on g7 - the rook on e5 is hanging! } { [%cal Rd4h8] } 22... Nc4 { Trying desperately to reinforce the e5 point. } { [%cal Gc4e5] } 23. f4 { A cold shower and the only clearly winning move. } 23... Bg7 { Nothing else works - the rook can't move because of the previously seen mating threat on g8. Black is forced to give up the extra material and end up in a totally lost position. } 24. Bxe5 Nxe5 25. Rxe5 Qf8 26. Bb3 { Now White is an exchange and three pawns up, so the conversion isn't particularly difficult. } 26... Ng4 27. Qd3 Nxe5 28. fxe5 { Okay, sorry, only three pawns up as Black has just regained the exchange - but the outcome is never in doubt all the same. } 28... Qc5+ 29. Kh2 Be8 30. e6 Rd6 31. Qe4 { And here Stean finally decided to throw in the towel. A powerful, very convincing victory (despite the slight error on move 21 ) that was mainly the result of suspicious opening play by his opponent. } 1-0